Kathmandu: Experts point out unmanaged garbage and increasing human settlements as the causes of pollution in traditional water sources like dug wells, tube wells, stonespouts, water holes and groundwater resources in the Kathmandu Valley. Water gets more polluted in the rainy season compared to other seasons. “Rain pollutes the water at sources in the monsoon,” said Roshana Shakya, chief, Central Laboratory, KUKL.

She told that the groundwater in the Kathmandu Valley has problems of ammonia and iron which are harmful for health. She added that the alternative water sources like stone-spouts, dug-wells are even more polluted. “A study has shown that most of the cholera patients detected in the Kathmandu Valley have used water from the alternative water sources,” Roshana said. The study has also shown that the piped water supply, a major source of drinking water in the valley, is not safe. Consumers have complains of filthy water supply from the pipeline connections. Spokesperson of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) Rameshwor Lal Shrestha admits supply of filthy water from the pipeline connections.
KUKL stated that water gets contaminated due to interconnection between the sewer lines and water supply lines. Furthermore, the old pipelines are contributing to water pollution in the supply system. Spokesperson Shrestha told that the Kathmandu Valley needs about 280 million litres of water daily but the KUKL has been able to produce 150 million litres in the rainy season and 90 million litres in the dry season. Dr. Basudev Pandey of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital at Teku told that 70 percent people in the Kathmandu Valley drink contaminated water.

Source: Nagarik, June 5, 2009