Kathmandu: Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) organized a programme in the Capital on January 18 and made public that there is 50 percent leakage in Valley’s drinking water distribution system. Richard Austin, General Manager of KUKL said that infrastructure of old pipelines is the major cause for 50 percent leakages. He added that most of the pipelines in the valley are 27 to 70 years old and some are even 100 years old.

KUKL stated that it cannot control leakages without bringing improvement in traditional distribution system and old pipelines. Kathmandu valley needs about 230 million litres of water daily and KUKL is able to supply only 100 million litres daily. Austin said, “It is difficult to solve drinking water problem in the valley without controlling leakages.”
It was stated in the programme that community taps should be developed to bring improvement in the valley's drinking water system. Austin told that KUKL is unable to supply drinking water regularly due to electricity load shedding. He added that KUKL is facing problem of illegal taps. It was made public in the programme that 20 percent community taps in the valley are illegal.

Source: Annapurna Post, January 19, 2009