Economic Cost of Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation in Lekbesi Municipality

Abstract

The economic cost of safe drinking water and sanitation in Lekbesi municipality, Surkhet explored the cost for safe drinking water. Socio-economic, consumer’s preference over treatment methods, costs associated with human health, water-borne diseases, was studied. The descriptive research design was followed supported by quantitative evidence, supplemented by microbial water quality testing at the point of use in systematic random samples of 121 households. 58.7% of the respondents are drinking water directly, followed by 38.8% using a ceramic candle filter, 9.1% and 6.6% are using chlorine and boiling to drink water, respectively. It has been observed that 30.3% and 9% of water samples of filters are in intermediate and high risk, respectively. Out of 625 people in 121 households, 38 households and 62 persons had suffered from diarrhea or worm and had to take rest for 85 working days. The economic cost for selection of water treatment methods was estimated to be NPR 1632.8 with maintenance cost per annum NPR 146.3. The cost of treatment for water-borne disease (diarrhea) was NPR 1500 for all travel, medicine and logistic arrangements the opportunity cost for caretaker was NPR 2436. Overall, the gross economic cost of treatment for unsafe water was NPR 3936 per person per annum.