“An Assessment of Sustainable Elements of Traditional Water Sources Management in Lalitpur District” A case study on Stone Spouts of Patan area of Lalitpur District

Abstract

Safe, adequate and sustainable water supply for all is one of the main social goals enunciated at global level in the past few years. One quarter of the developing world's population still lacks clean water while millions die annually from water related diseases. As the world population continues to grow, need and demand for water escalates. The shortage of water is already with Kathmandu dwellers and it is certain that the harder time lies ahead. In order to resolve the scarce water situation, management of traditional water sources such as stone spouts, wells, ponds, and water holes should be seriously looked at and sustainable solutions to conserve the facilities should be found out. Sustainable solutions, here, defines, relatively long life span of water facilities which should meet the requirement of users and should be environmental friendly, maintained and operated easily and at low cost, should be adaptive to changing environment and efficient. There are more than 420 stone spouts and over 200 traditional wells in Kathmandu Valley, which are still in use. But these are in a very sorry condition due to lack of conservation and management. Even small attempts to conserve these facilities could be a great relief to the residents of the valley. These could be managed and conserved only through community-based approach as they are so much attached with the livelihood of people culturally, traditionally and religiously. The study has been conducted to assess the sustainable elements of traditional water sources and their management practices at the local level. It was conducted within the Kathmandu Valley, especially Patan area of Lalitpur District through purposive sampling. Residents living near and surrounding the traditional water facilities, specifically the Newar female groups and elderly groups were interviewed. The outcomes of study anticipated to provide general picture of traditional water facilities, sustainable elements for their efficient management and adaptability of the system.

The findings showed that among 56 stone spouts in LSMC, only 44 i.e. 79% are in functioning state and remaining have either stopped flowing, submerged under water or extinct. It was noticed that spouts located in the settlement areas are functioning. Among 18 sample taken for the study, 61% of spouts have good water discharge; 89% of them have drainage in normal condition; most of the spouts; 44% were seen established during Malla period; 56% of them have a kind of management body to look after its management and, 67% of the spouts’ water is being used for drinking, bathing and washing clothes. Among the tested water sample from 20 stone spouts, 11 i.e. 55% have nitrate concentration above WHO drinking water guideline value, one have excess iron, all the water samples had ammonia beyond the guideline value, chloride content within the value and all showed positive result in microbiological tests. Since, the count of microbiological test was limited to positive and negative test; severity of contamination cannot be concluded.

- 5 - Management practices being performed by management committee of some spouts’ such as Alko Hiti, Iku Hiti and Thapa Hiti shall be considered as the example of how these water spouts could be conserved and benefit the people. It was noticed that management of spouts was being easier in a homogeneous community rather than a heterogeneous community. It was also found that the culture of celebrating traditional festivals like 'Sithi Nakha', 'Yana Punchi', 'Indra Jatra' and performing morning rituals in the spouts still exists. These traditional activities are not only important religiously but also have been helping to keep traditional water spouts working, clean and sustainable.

Stone spouts are a unique feature of not only cultural heritage but also the centuries old water supply system, which could fulfill water demand of almost 30% of the total population of LSMC. These spouts have traditionally been at the center of community life but sadly; many of these spouts have fallen into disrepair. Thus, the study has recommended the management to build pollution control mechanism, separate drainage for storm water and sewer, imply the metropolis with ground water recharge technologies and encourage community to conserve traditional water facilities. Further study on different perspective of stone spouts such as its hydro-geological flow and detail chemical parameters is suggested.