The Nepal Weekly 
January 30, 2024
Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) and WaterAid Nepal (WAN) jointly handed over the groundwater water recharge system, which was installed in the Balaju Park in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). The deputy mayor of the KMC, Sunita Dangol had officially received the project on January 19, 2024 amidst a function. The project commenced on October of 2023 officially and concluded on 19th January 2024.
The recharge system consists of 21 filter chambers, 21 recharge wells, two distilling chambers, recharge trenches of 75 feet and seven bamboo check dams. These recharge structures are the key outputs of the project titled ‘Groundwater Recharge in Balaju Park Area in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City: Addressing Increased Urban Water Demand’ which was implemented by CIUD, in financial support from Bottlers Nepal Terai Limited (BNTL), and in technical support from WAN. It has been estimated that the system will help in recharging approximately 30,000 kilo liter of water per annum thereby enhancing the water table of shallow groundwater of the area.
The key objective of the project was to maintain the water table of the park area thereby rejuvenating the discharge of the stone spouts, the famous Baish Dhara and the community wells and spring sources. It has been anticipated that this project not only helps in maintaining the groundwater table of the peripheral areas of the project site, but also make the communities aware and local authorities accountable for such initiatives which is necessary to cope with acute water shortage due to the rapid urbanization and the climate change impact.
In the occasion, Deputy Mayor Dangol expressed her impression on such initiative and committed her support and coordination from the KMC in promoting public-private partnership in promoting more similar groundwater recharge intervention in coming days as the artificial groundwater recharge is vital for the cities like Kathmandu where groundwater extraction is high, but the natural replenishment is low due to the sealing of building and road construction in the natural recharge zones.
Groundwater is one of the major sources of drinking water for the residents of the Kathmandu valley since time immemorial. The stone spouts, wells and kuwas (spring water points) are the major water outlets which can be seen everywhere in the valley. However, from the last two decades, the excess groundwater extraction, haphazard building constructions and roads have made the significance depletion of the groundwater in the valley. The change in rainfall pattern, that is extensive rainfall in short duration, has also made some impacts in the natural process of groundwater recharging.
Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal refreshes consumers across the country through its core product offerings of Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and Kinley, and impacts thousands as a System. The company works with WaterAid Nepal, CIUD, Smartpaani and Splash on innovative integrated water management solutions for water conservation, water replenishment and to improve livelihoods of communities which has made Coca-Cola a water positive company. As part of The Coca-Cola Company’s global commitment towards a ‘World Without Waste’, Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal has been working with partners like Doko Recyclers to support the global mission to collect and recycle every bottle we sell by 2030.
Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) is a non-government organization (NGO) dedicated to people-centered urban development, where it utilizes the synergy of competent pool of human resources (HR) comprising urban planners, social scientists, engineers Information Technology (IT), governance experts and community workers. Established in 2002, CIUD has been demonstrating pilot projects, mobilizing resources, conducting study and research on various urban issues and aspects. It has been working extensively on sustainable urban solutions to support and complement the government’s effort as well as its initiative to tackle urban challenges to foster livable cities in Nepal. WASH, urban water management and public open space management are some of the key working areas of CIUD. WaterAid Nepal (WA) is an international not for-profit, determined to ensure access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for everyone, everywhere within a generation and duly represented by its authorized representative Ms. Tripti Rai, Country Director. Only by tackling these three essentials in ways that last can people change their lives for good. WaterAid’s vision aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6 – everyone, everywhere with access to sustainable WASH services by 2030. WaterAid believes this is only possible with a strong WASH sector; a sector led by national governments who prioritize WASH and aim to protect, promote and fulfill their citizens’ rights.
