Water Access Improved for Thousands of Households in Bardibas Municipality, Nepal

Mahottari. Access to drinking water has now reached four wards of Bardibas Municipality in Mahottari. Wards 1, 2, 3, and 14 of Bardibas had long faced drinking water scarcity.

Asha Kumari from Bardibas-3 stated that water taps have now been installed in every household. Bikram Mahato from Bardibas-14 said, "Previously, we had to drink water from wells. Moreover, as the water level gradually receded during winter, we were forced to drink muddy water in Chaitra and Baisakh (mid-March to mid-May). Now that taps have been installed, the water crisis has been resolved."

Five thousand nine hundred ninety-eight families are currently receiving water services through the taps installed by the Bardibas Small Urban Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumer Committee. Bardibas has three water sources in the Chure region, which fall into the Ratu Khola's Dah (pond/pool). The demand for drinking water in the main urban wards of Bardibas is seven hundred thousand liters daily.

The water committee faces difficulties meeting consumer demand once winter sets in. The source is located at Sunarmare Dah of the Ratu Khola. Currently, that source is also at risk due to river excavation.

Bhulan Sen Thakuri, Chairman of the Small Urban Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumer Committee, stated that although the population in Bardibas is increasing daily while the sources of drinking water are diminishing, they remain dedicated day and night to providing drinking water to the residents of Bardibas."