Background of this technical cooperation project

The water demand of the 2.7 million people in the Kathmandu Valley is estimated to be 370 MLD, and the annual average water supply of KUKL is 126 MLD. Taking into account the estimated 26% leakage rate, the effective water volume is estimated to be 81 MLD. As a result, water services are unevenly distributed and many customers can not have access to water despite having a contract, and are forced to have a service every few days or limited water supply hours.

The overall service provided by KUKL is not equitable, as the lack of sufficient water supply forces customers to use alternative sources of water, such as using water tankers with additional payments or using groundwater of poor quality.

To overcome the following challenges faced by KUKL and to improve water supply service in Kathmandu, the Melamchi Water Supply Project, with a capacity of 170 MLD, is being implemented under co-financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), futhermore this technical cooperation project has started from 2021 to enhance the water supply management capacity of KUKL while aiming for synergy with related projects.

Toward a sustainable water supply business

"The Project on Capacity Development of KUKL to Improve Overall Water Supply Service in Kathmandu Valley" is implemented to enhance the operating capacity of KUKL and to improve it's customer service, as the water supply is expected to increase significantly through Melamchi Water Supply Project supported by ADB and JICA.

After the project is completed, KUKL itself will continue their activities, thereby achieving a desirable cycle of water supply business with sustainability.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Through the progress of related projects and the technical assistance provided by the Project, effective use of water resources, expansion of water supply volume/time, and safe water supply through improved WTP operation and water quality control capacity will be achieved.

These will greatly contribute to Goal 6 of the SDGs and development goals of Nepal.

Project Period

This project will be implemented in three terms as shown below.

In the first term, the baseline surveys, the basic training and good relationship-building with C/P will be conducted as the project start-up step.

In the second term, the full-scale training (OJT and TOT) will start to develop the capacity for KUKL in response to the activities of the first term.

In the third term, KUKL is expected to establish an internal training system and carry out the practical trainings so that the skills acquired through OJT and TOT can be horizontally expanded within KUKL. In addition, KUKL will establish the acquired skills and create a system that KUKL itself to operate and maintain even after the project is completed.

• Term-1: March 2021 to March 2022
• Term-2: April 2022 to January 2024
• Term-3: February 2024 to March 2026