An Assessment of Drinking Water and Sanitation Project (A Case Study of Patha Khola Drinking Water and Sanitation Project, Harsahi/Tandi, Sindhuli)
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Department of Rural Development
Abstract
The present study entitled An Assessment of Drinking Water and Sanitation Project (A
Case Study of Patha Khola Drinking Water and Sanitation Project, Harsahi/Tandi in
Sindhuli District) is carried out for the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the
degree of Master of Arts in Rural Development. The present study has tried to answer
the following questions:
What are the social impacts brought by the drinking water project?
How has the drinking water project helped the local people to raise their
income?
What are the changes that local people have experienced in their health
condition following the new drinking water scheme?
Is it sufficient and equally distributed?
How has the drinking water managed/maintained?
The level of awareness on the issues of safe drinking water and sanitation is still a
challenge; and various initiatives has been taken with financial support of World
Bank to implement the community drinking water and sanitation projects in rural
Nepal.
The general objective of the study is to evaluate the socio-economic impacts of
drinking water and sanitation project on the local people. The specific objectives are: To explore the socioeconomic impact of the drinking water project on the
local people. To assess the improvement in health condition of the local people following
the drinking water and sanitation program
To examine the local people's participation on the project management
The study adopt explorative as well as descriptive methods. Household survey and
key informant interview has been the techniques of the study through questionnaire.
Man, like all other forms of biological life, is extremely dependent upon water and
can survive much longer without food than he can without water. But in Nepal, a rich
country in water resources, still there is large number of population who do not have
proper access to safe drinking water and sanitation facility. Water related diseases
has been very common which are giving life taking threats for the people living in
those areas. Various efforts are still being made by the government of the country,
public and private institutions as well as various donor agencies to provide adequate
quantities of water of reasonable, though not entirely satisfactory, quality. If sufficient
water could be supplied to the people living in rural areas then they could spend their
surplus time for income generating activities through which socio-economic progress
can take place.
The study in ward no 1, 2 of Harsahi VDC and ward no. 7 of Tadi VDC of Sindhuli
district with reference to socio-economic analysis has revealed several aspects of this
program. The dominant caste of the area is Danuwar, and they have been simply
bypassed from the mainstream life. This scheme was constructed 5 years ago with
financial assistance from RWSSFDB. Drinking water is the prime need of human
being and should be provided to all the people. Participation of local people in
decision making and implementation of any development program is the most
important factor for the successful of the project. And this has been the reason for the
success of the project which has been studied. Drinking water in combination with the
sanitation component has been effectively collaborating for the health and hygiene of
the local people. Construction of toilet is although not encouraging the village but
progress is satisfactory.
Safeguarding and smooth operation of the drinking water projects should also be
given to the local people and they should be skilled to perform the task within the
project tenure in the village. This ensures the sustainability of the project. Local
people's participation in all level of project has been recognized and this proven to be
the formula for success of the project to a greater extent.