Water Pollution In Nepal: Saving Lives, Protecting Nature

Nepal is facing a water crisis. As a landlocked nation with a population of over 27 million, 42% of whom live below the poverty line, water pollution and water scarcity are significant challenges. Access to safe and adequate drinking water is a basic human necessity, but a large proportion of the Nepalese population is deprived of it. Water pollution in Nepal is caused by natural and anthropogenic factors, with surface water contaminated by industrial and domestic waste, untreated sewage, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. The capital, Kathmandu, produces 150 tons of waste daily, with almost half ending up in rivers, and 80% generated by households. The lack of awareness about proper sanitation and the limited number of wastewater treatment facilities further exacerbates the problem. The consequences are dire, with children under five being the most vulnerable, as waterborne diseases claim the lives of 44,000 children annually. Therefore, addressing water pollution in Nepal is crucial to ensuring the health and well-being of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable among them.

Water-borne diseases

Nepal is a landlocked country with a population of over 27 million people, making it one of the poorest nations in the world. The country struggles with water pollution and water scarcity, and a large proportion of the population lacks access to safe and adequate drinking water. This is due to a combination of natural and anthropogenic contaminations, including industrial and domestic waste, as well as the discharge of untreated sewage from residential areas. The capital city of Kathmandu, for example, produces an estimated 150 tons of waste daily, with almost half ending up in rivers that serve as primary sources of drinking water.

The lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation in Nepal contributes to the spread of water-borne diseases. These diseases include diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, gastroenteritis, cholera, and enteric fever. Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable, with an estimated 44,000 children dying every year in Nepal from water-borne diseases. The dry season from March to the end of the rainy season in September further exacerbates the vulnerability to water-borne illnesses.

To address the issue of water-borne diseases, Nepal needs to improve access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. This includes establishing more water treatment facilities in urban and rural areas and raising awareness about proper sanitation and hygiene practices. UNICEF's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, for example, aims to improve water and sanitation services and promote better hygiene practices in Nepal. Additionally, the government and concerned authorities must take measures to ensure safe drinking water for all, such as replacing old supply lines and implementing water safety plans.

Overall, the prevention and control of water-borne diseases in Nepal require a multi-faceted approach, including improving water infrastructure, raising awareness, and implementing effective sanitation and hygiene practices at both the community and individual levels.

Inadequate sewerage and sanitation

Nepal is facing a water crisis, and inadequate sewerage and sanitation are major contributors. As a landlocked country with a population of over 27 million, Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world. With a staggering 42% of the population living below the poverty line, only 27% have improved access to sanitation. This means that 10.8 million people in Nepal do not have access to improved sanitation facilities, and 3.5 million do not have access to basic water services.

The lack of access to safe and adequate drinking water is a significant issue in Nepal. While 80% of the population has access to drinking water, it is not safe for consumption. This is due to natural and anthropogenic contaminations, with surface water being polluted by industry and domestic waste, as well as the discharge of untreated sewage from residential areas. The capital city of Kathmandu produces 150 tons of waste daily, with almost half ending up in rivers, and 80% of this wastewater is generated by households.

The increasing population and establishments have also made surface water sources inadequate to serve everyone. In rural regions, communities rely on tube wells for drinking water, which has led to concerns about groundwater contamination from arsenic in the Terai Region. Those without access to basic sanitation rely on local surface water sources for bathing and washing clothes, which further contaminates the water.

The lack of sanitation and safe drinking water has severe health consequences, especially for children. Water- and sanitation-related diseases are one of the leading causes of death for children under five in Nepal, with an estimated 44,000 children dying each year from waterborne illnesses. Diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, gastroenteritis, and cholera are common waterborne diseases in the country.

To address these issues, Nepal has embarked on ambitious plans to provide universal coverage of water and sanitation services. UNICEF's WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Supply, aims to improve water and sanitation services and promote better hygiene practices. Efforts are being made to improve access to safe water in schools and healthcare facilities, scale up sanitation social movements, engage the private sector, and advocate for gender and disability-friendly sanitation facilities. Additionally, raising awareness about hygiene behaviors and improving water quality through regulatory bodies and water safety plans are crucial components of the WASH program.

Industrial and domestic waste

Nepal is facing a water crisis, with a large proportion of the population lacking access to safe and adequate drinking water. The capital city of Kathmandu produces an estimated 150 tons of waste daily, with almost half of this dumped into rivers, and 80% of this waste is generated by households. The domestic sewage system is a top source of water pollution, with untreated sewage seeping into rivers and lakes, the primary sources of drinking water.

The public needs education on proper sanitation issues, and there is a lack of widespread domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants. The treatment plants that do exist are frequently out of operation. This is a critical issue, as the discharge of untreated sewage from residential areas is polluting surface water. This is exacerbated by the increasing population, which has led to surface water sources becoming inadequate to serve everyone. In some rural regions, communities rely on tube wells for drinking water, which are also at risk of contamination.

The water quality in Nepal is deteriorating due to natural and anthropogenic contaminations. Industrial waste is a significant contributor to water pollution, with hundreds of new industries being registered in the country each year. These industries release effluents that cause environmental degradation and water pollution. A study of wastewater from five different industrial sites in four districts of Nepal found that most parameters were within permissible limits, except for pH and Cr levels, which were too high. Heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, and Cr have been found in the tissues of fish in the Narayani River, which receives effluents from several industries, including pulp and paper mills.

Distilleries and paper mills are the primary sources of pollution in terms of organic load. Large and small-scale sectors contribute to water pollution, with industrial waste frequently thrown into surrounding rivers and lakes. This waste contains lead, asbestos, petrochemicals, and mercury, which are extremely dangerous to humans and marine life. Water pollution is a serious issue in Nepal, and it is essential to address it to ensure that citizens have access to safe and adequate drinking water.

Lack of public awareness

Nepal is facing a water crisis, with a large proportion of its population lacking access to safe and adequate drinking water. The country's water sources are contaminated by various factors, including natural and anthropogenic sources. The capital city of Kathmandu produces an estimated 150 tons of waste daily, with almost half of it dumped into rivers, and 80% of wastewater generated by households. The lack of public awareness about proper sanitation and wastewater treatment is a significant contributor to this issue.

The public's lack of awareness and education about proper sanitation and wastewater treatment is a critical issue in Nepal. The country's citizens need to be informed about the impact of their actions on water quality and the environment. For instance, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture has led to widespread contamination of surface and groundwater sources, as noted by Bhattarai and Dahal (2020). Similarly, the discharge of untreated sewage from residential areas and the lack of a proper sewage system in Kathmandu have severely polluted the water sources.

Public awareness about water pollution and its harmful effects is essential to addressing this crisis. The public needs to understand the consequences of water pollution on their health and the environment. Waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, cholera, and gastroenteritis are prevalent in Nepal, particularly affecting children under five. The risk of these diseases is heightened during the dry season from March to September. By raising awareness about hygiene behaviours, safe water practices, and the importance of clean water, the public can be empowered to take action and make a change.

UNICEF's WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) section in Nepal is working to address this issue by improving water and sanitation services and promoting better hygiene practices. They aim to increase access to safe water in schools and healthcare facilities, scale up sanitation social movements, and engage the private sector to create markets for sanitation products. Additionally, they are advocating for gender and disability-friendly sanitation facilities and using mass media and social media to spread awareness about hygiene behaviours, including menstrual hygiene management practices.

The Nepalese government and other organizations must prioritize public awareness campaigns and education initiatives to address the lack of knowledge about water pollution and its consequences. By empowering citizens with knowledge and information, they can make a significant step towards overcoming the water crisis and ensuring healthier lives for all.

Climate change

Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 42% of its population living below the poverty line and only 27% with improved access to sanitation. The country's water crisis is exacerbated by climate change, which is causing unpredictable variations in rainfall, prolonged droughts, and rapidly warming glaciers.

The impact of climate change on water resources in Nepal is a growing concern for experts. The country's unique geographical position, with the Himalayan mountain range influencing its climate, means that changes in temperature and precipitation have a range of effects, including glacier melt, snowmelt, and changes in groundwater recharge. The South Asian monsoon, which brings about 80% of the country's precipitation, has been impacted by climate change, with a significant reduction in pre-monsoon rainfall in the high Himalayan areas. This has consequences for the availability and quality of water for people, with only about 25% of the population having access to a fully functional drinking water supply.

The agricultural sector, which is the main source of income for two-thirds of the population, is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Most farming operations are dependent on monsoon rainfall, with only 20% of farms having access to year-round irrigation. Climate change is expected to bring increased drought during the winter months and more intense rainfall during the monsoon season, compromising crop production and food security.

To address these challenges, Nepal needs to implement climate change adaptation solutions and improve water infrastructure and conservation measures. This includes promoting climate-resistant crops, as well as investing in water treatment facilities and improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, especially in rural areas.

In summary, climate change is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in Nepal, particularly regarding access to water and food security. The country needs to adapt to the changing climate and invest in sustainable water management practices to ensure the health and well-being of its citizens, especially children, who are among the most vulnerable to water-borne diseases and sanitation-related issues.

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