Transforming Water Management in Kathmandu

In the bustling heart of the Kathmandu Valley, through 240,000 household connections, a monumental endeavour is underway. With 2000 kilometres of distribution water network traversing its ancient streets, Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) grapples with the challenges of managing water assets that span over a century in age, some even dating back to 1900.

Against a backdrop of soaring water demand, reaching 470 million litres per day (ML/d), KUKL produces 130 ML/d, striving to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population. Amidst this effort lies a sobering reality: water loss through leakage eclipses 20 percent, echoing the urgency for change.

Residents face the harsh reality of limited and contaminated water due to leaky pipes and restricted access, with only four hours of water availability per week. With water supplies rotated throughout the city, households' resort to various means to secure enough water.

Embarking on a mission to create a more proactive rather than reactive asset management system, KUKL collaborated with Logan Water and Hunter Water . This strategic alliance was orchestrated under the support of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and sponsored by Australian Water Partnership 's (AWP) Kathmandu Water Operator Partnerships (WOP). At its core, this partnership sought to mentor KUKL in fortifying its asset management capabilities, thereby laying a robust foundation for sustainable water service delivery to the bustling city of Kathmandu.

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The WOP Program commenced in February 2017, with a total of seventeen missions conducted over the years. Thirteen Australian visits were made to KUKL, while four Nepalese return visits were made to Logan Water and Hunter Water Corporation. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, all missions were conducted online via Zoom between 2020 and June 2022. The first Australian visit post-COVID occurred in June 2022, marking a return to in-person collaboration and engagement.

Several key initiatives were undertaken throughout the partnership, including:

• Establishment of a central asset management framework.
• Implementation of an Asset Management Information System (AMIS) for data handling and manipulation.
• Development of preventative maintenance programs.
• Training programs for KUKL staff in asset management principles and modern management approaches.
• Formation of a central Water Quality Group to monitor water quality and provide data to operators.
• Creation of a centralised asset management team to oversee system development and procedures.

The partnership also yielded significant outcomes, including:

• Improved infrastructure and operational efficiency.
• Enhanced asset management capabilities.
• Increased awareness of modern management approaches among KUKL staff.
• Greater capacity to manage water infrastructure and support systems.
• Establishment of lasting professional relationships and collaborative networks.

KUKL faced significant challenges before the partnership, including inadequate resources, dilapidated infrastructure, and a growing population. Through collaboration, innovation, and capacity building, significant progress has been made towards achieving sustainable and reliable water services. As the partnership concludes, the legacy of cooperation and shared learning will continue to shape the future of asset management in water utility in Nepal.

A special thanks to Binit Rijal for his outstanding work and representation of Logan Water in this transformative project.