Bring on the rain in Nepal

The project in the village of Alamdevi is located in the western part of Shayangja district. In the district 2 other projects funded by RAIN Foundation are already under construction. People from the village of Alamdevi received news from these projects and got interested to have rainwater harvesting tanks, since their situation is comparable. Currently people, most women and girls, are spending 2-3 hours daily to collect the drinking water from a spring located in downhill of the village. They have to cue and wait their turn to fetch the water. This is not only a time consuming activity, but is also a heavy physical burden, since women carry the weight of the water cans on their head, while walking up steep slopes. In the rainy season, the paths can get very slippery, leading to injuries. Mostly, on women from a household is responsible for fetching water for the whole family, and sometimes their cattle, meaning she will be busy fetching water for the whole day.

Goals overview

- water supply at a household level (10 m3 per household) to at least overcome the dry period, for drinking, small domestic uses and biogas production
- training and awareness sessions on operation, maintenance and management of rwh systems to ensure sustainable water supply
- training and awareness on water quality issues related to the rwh systems
- awareness on hygiene issues related to water

Current status

The project will start as soon as funding is found. Since implementation under RAIN funding is already taking place in neighbouring villages, implementation can start quickly as the local context is known.

Project plan

BSP-Nepal has been working with RAIN Foundation since 2004 and is a trusted partner, with several years of experience with the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems and biogas systems. BSP-Nepal works throughout the country. BSP-Nepal was established as an NGO in 2003 to take over the implementation responsibility of BSP, which formerly was managed directly by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV).

Expected outcomes

• 68 household rwh systems to provide people with safe and suf
• 68 people trained on operation, maintenance and management
• Awareness raised on water quality and hygiene

A construction, management and a maintenance committee will be formed by the local community and women group to supervise the involvement of the community during the construction phase and to address the repair and maintenance fund for the rainwater harvesting systems. There is 50% female representation in all the committees formed. The water management committee will receive a general training on operation and maintenance of the rainwater harvesting systems as well a training on hygiene and sanitation. The management committee will manage a maintenance fund for the minor repair and maintenance.

The rainwater harvesting systems constructed by BSP Nepal will be guaranteed ( 3 years - civil structure and 1 year- pipes and fittings). Should any problems occur within this period, BSP-Nepal will cover the costs. Periodic monitoring will be carried out and necessary training will be given during this process in case of problems encountered by the users.