Almost a decade ago, when I was a water supply engineer involved in feasibility study of Melamchi water supply project, whenever water scarcity problem hit the Kathmandu valley, my friends and neighbors used to ask me, “Is there a way out to solve Kathmandu water supply problem ?” I used to tell them, once Melamchi water would be available in 2000, their entire water problem would be solved at least for next ten years. They still ask me the same question; my answer remains the same, but with a time lag. Now, I assure them Melamchi water may be available in 2007 according to the present estimate. Between then and now Valley population have almost doubled, but without substantial increase in water availability we have survived these long years with some hardship. Probably the same situation will prevail for next seven years until Melamchi water is available.

Melamchi water supply is a mega project. Such projects are bound to take years to complete in a developing country like Nepal where financial resource is very limited. We have to depend upon international donors and bankers (such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank) to fund such projects. The donors set some preconditions for successful implementation of the project. These conditions are very reasonable as they have to ensure that their investment is properly utilised, but unfortunately at times we fail to meet them. As a result the projects never leave the drawing board, as is the case with the much-talked about Arun project. The recurring delay in implementation of Melamchi +project is due to one such condition implied by the donors, namely private sector involvement in managing water supply in Kathmandu valley. The World Bank hinted way back in 1997 that they would consider further investment in Melamchi Project only if the government agreed to privatisation of Kathmandu water supply. The World Bank insisted in privatisation mainly because the then management of Nepal Water Supply Corporation failed to live to their expectation. The government in agreement with the World Bank formed a high level committee to expedite the privatisation process. It has been more than four years now. The privatisation process have moved very slowly mainly because the multi national companies who are expected to take over have shown very little interest in coming forward. In fact whatever interest they had earlier, had unfortunately died down, as is evident from the withdrawal by two of the three shortlisted companies selected for submitting proposals. Attempts are once again being made to shortlist another batch of international companies. So far as many as 17 companies have shown their interest.

As already stated Melamchi is a multi million-dollor mega project. Several donors have shown their interest to invest. At this stage it is expected that at least four donors from as many countries and two bankers ( Asian Development Bank and the World Bank) will have to move in tandem for successful completion of Melamchi. These donors have their own set of rules to invest; ADB is putting in their best effort in coordinating these donors. The equation is very fragile; Melamchi would not see the daylight if a single donor pulls out. Let us keep our fingers crossed hoping for the better.

Melamchi water once available will be costly compared to the present water tariff rate. But if we compare it with the present hardship we are facing, the sleepless night we spent in waiting for the taps to flow, the countless worries and the extra money we are spending in pumping water from mains and increasing water storage capacity, Melamchi water is not going to cost us much in true sense. Above all the rates will still be many times below the present water tanker rates. A days supply of water would cost as much as a bottle of coke.

Kathmandu population is ever increasing, so is the water supply problem. Even if the Kathmandu population remains the same at the present day level, we are not in a position to provide sufficient water as the present shortfall in supply during dry months is as much as 50%. As almost all available sources inside valley have already been tapped either for water supply or irrigation, substantial increase in water production is not in the offing. We have been surviving all these years mainly because gradually we are using water other than from the municipal water supply system by drilling our own shallow or deep well, using dungedhara or some other alternative. Water supply corporation’s and private tankers have given some relief to those who can afford to pay the price; nevertheless it has helped to ease the situation a little.

Can we do without Melamchi?. Probably we would be able to do without Melamchi if the population of Kathmandu remain static, at the same time we store enough rainwater in big reservoir by damming the valley rivers. Even if we dam all the rivers inside the Kathmandu Valley it will add up to only half the volume of water we are expected to receive from Melamchi. As of today both these solutions seem hypothetical. Damming of rivers is technically feasible, but environmentally and socially not acceptable, as the dams would submerge large tract of valuable land. Once conceptualized Kodku water supply project failed to take off mainly due to this reason. Melamchi critic would say if the leakage of Kathmandu water supply is reduced, if whatever water is there in the system is managed properly Melamchi is not needed. With both these remedies the present service level can be improved to a great extent. Presently if we zero down the leakage rate, the system will gain only 30 million litres water compared to 170 millions and more we are going to receive from Melamchi. Reduction of leakage is very much needed be it with or without Melamchi, but is only a remedy not a total solution to the Kathmandu water supply problem.

As is evident from the growth pattern of cities in our neighboring countries and elsewhere, Kathmandu will grow and probably the population would double in coming decade. For a comfortable living in Kathmandu Melamchi water should flow to Kathmandu. Even by most optimistic present day estimate Melamchi water would be available in 2007 if everything goes well as planned. Kathmandu cannot do without Melamchi, but it has to survive without Melamchi until 2007.
 

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