National Water Quality Standard and Water

Quality Issues in Nepal

Orientation for the Chiefs Water Supply, Irrigation and Energy

Development Office

Ramesh Subedi, SDE

Rationality for Water Quality Improvement
To comply the Constitutional Human Rights
“Each citizen shall have the right to access to safe water and
hygiene”

To achieve Government’s Different Targets : Example:

“ By the end of fifteen five year plan (2024/25), 40% population
should have access to medium and high level water supply”

To harmonize with SDG Goals.

By the end of 2030, 90 % population should have the access to Safely
managed water supply system

Ultimate Goal:
To upgrade the quality of life by improving health and hygiene of
condition of people
Water Quality
S. N. Descriptions Current Status Target at the
end of fifteen
five year plan
1 Water Supply Coverage About 89 % 100 %
(Basic Level)

2 Medium & High Level About 21 % 40%

Water Supply Coverage

3 Basic Sanitation Coverage Above 100 % 100%

Water Service Level Classification: National Water Plan 2005
Water service level is categorized into 3
classes:
 Basic,
 Medium and
 higher

Service Indicators
level Quantity Quality Access Continuity Reliable
LPCD Hrs/day Month/
yr

High 112-150 WHO Fully 24 12

plumbed

Medium 60 NDWQ Yard 10 12

connected
4

Basic 25-45 potable 20 min walk 4 12

 History of WHO Guidelines
Guidance
for NDWS

International
standards 2nd Edition
1st Edition 3rd Edition 4th Edition
1958 1963 1971 1984 1993 2004 2011
Before 2005

After 2005
 National Drinking Water Quality
Standard(NDWQS)-2005

For Urban Water Supply Projects

Physical : 6 , Chemical : 19, Biological : 2, Total : 27

For Rural Surface Water Supply Projects

Physical : 5 , Chemical : 9, Biological : 2, Total : 16

For Rural Ground Water Supply Projects

Physical : 5 , Chemical : 9, Biological : 2, Total : 16
 kf/fldlt - OsfO -Unit_ clwstd\ ;3gg\ ; s}lkm
ju{{ Ldf
Parameter_ (Maximum ot
Concentration
Limits_

ef}lts wldnf]kg - NTU % -!)_  

Turbidity_
xfO8«f]hg ljej -   ^=%– *=  
pH_ %*
/+u - Color_ TCU % -!%_  

:jfb tyf uGw-   cfkQLhgs  

(Taste & Odor) x'g' gx'g]]
s'n 3'lnt 7f]; ld=u|f=/ ln6/ !)))  
kbfy{
(Total Dissolved
Solids)
ljB'tLo ;+jfxstf dfOqmf]l;d]G; !%))  
(Electrical /;l]G6ld6/
Conductivity)  
   kmnfd - Iron_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=# -# _  
 
d+]ufgLh -Manganese_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=@  
 
  cf;]{lgs -Arsenic_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=)%  
  Sof8ldod -Cadmium_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=))#  
 
  qmf]ldod -Chromium_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=)%  
  ;fogfO8 -Cyanide_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=)&  
 
ˆnf]/fO8 -Fluoride_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=% –!=%*  
 
/f;folgs zLzf -Lead_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=)!  
cdf]lgof - Ammonia_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ !=%  
Snf]/fO8 -Chloride_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ @%)  
;Nkm]6 -Sulphate_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ @%)  
gfO6«]6 -Nitrate_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ %)  
tfdf -Copper_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ !  
s'n s8fkg ld=u|f=/ ln6/ %))  
-Total Hardness_
SofN;Lod ld=u|f=/ ln6/ @))  
-Calcium_
h:tf -Zinc_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ #  
kf/f] -Mercury_ ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=))!  
cfn'ldlgod ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=@  
-Aluminium_
Snf]l/g cjz]if ld=u|f=/ ln6/ )=! – )=@* Snf]l/g k|of]u
- Residual Chlorine _ x'g] k|
0ffnLx?sf
;"Id h}ljs O – sf]nL (E-Coli) MPN /100 ml )  
nflu dfq
s'n sf]lnkmd{ MPN /100 ml )  
-Total Coliform_ -(%% gd"gfdf _

* oL dfgx?n] Go"gtd\ / clwstd\ ;Ldf hgfpFb5g\ .

Major WQ Concerned Parameters
Hill and Himalaya Region:
Turbidity, Lime, Bacterial Contamination
Terai Region (20 Districts):
Iron, Manganese, Arsenic, Turbidity, Bacterial
Contamination
Kathmadu Valley:
Iron, Manganese, Ammonia, Arsenic, Turbidity, Bacterial
Contamination
Fluoride concentration in most WQ samples found less or
equal to 0.5 mg/l, but no major health impact detected yet
Different WQ Monitoring Data shows , still more than 50
% samples of drinking water used by people contains e- coli
 Iron in water

Microorganism in water Incrustation in pipes

 NDWQS- 2005 is under the process of revision

Rationality for Revision:

Update mandate of the previous version
To incorporate WSP Concept
Review and update existing parameter values
Harmonize with WHO (Rolling Revision)Guidelines
Harmonize Standard with SDGs and Governments' proposed
documents ( Draft Umbrella Act, Policy and Sector
Development Plan etc)
Harmonize with three level government’s roles and
responsibilities
 Activities conducting by DWSSM
Implementation of Water Quality Improvement program
in Completed projects (Appropriate treatment units
based on the source water quality)
Till date 71 projects completed and 50 projects(28 federal
level, 22 province level) are running
Arsenic Mitigation program in 20 Terai districts
 Internalizing Water Safety Plan (WSP) in Project Cycle
Water Quality Monitoring
Water Quality Advocacy and Distribution of Point of Use
treatment products
Response in Emergency/Disaster
Some focused Programs on Water Quality Issues
Awareness Creation on Water Quality Issue
Distribution of POU Disinfectants to Public, Institutions,
User’s Organization etc
School Awareness Program
WQM in Public Institutions
Development of training modules & IEC Materials
Best Cases Documentation
Review Workshops ( WSP Implemented Projects)
Capacity Building on WSP/SOP/WQ Advocacy
 SDE/Engineers/Sub- Engineers
 Treatment Plant Operators

 WUCs Member, WSP Team and WSST

 Province and Local Body Members

 Other Sectoral Stakeholders

 Total WSPs implemented in Nepal
Agencie 2067/68 2068/69 2069/70 2070/72 2072/73 2073/74 Total
s (2010/11) (2011/12) (2012/13) (2013/14) (2014/15) (2015/16)

DWSSM 150 150 213 225 177 244 1159

WHO (14) pilot 42 20 45 60 22 189

UNICEF 15 45 75 128 349 612

FEDWA 10 100 150 260

SAN

OTHER 594+ 594+

S
Total 150 207 278 355 465 1359+ 2814+
 Training
Materials
WSP Video :
Nepali : 30 Mins
English: 10 Mins
WSP Training at Rautahat : Field visit, Sanitary Inspection & Water Quality Testing
 Arsenic Mitigation Plan
According to blanket testing conducted in 2003-2008 by DWSSM with the
support of UNICEF and other partners, out of more than 11 million tube
wells, 1.75% of tube wells were arsenic contaminated with more than50 ppb

1. Short term : Bio sand filters/Dug Wells

 Bio sand filters distributed by different agencies in different time
 No integrated data on number of filters distributed

2. Mid term: Arsenic Safe tube wells

 Installation of hand pumps from arsenic safe layer and construction of
platforms ( about 2000 tubewells installed in 12 districts bu DWSS
3. Long term :
Construction of deep boring from arsenic safe layer and piped water supply
with private connection through elevated overhead tanks.

 14 such projects are being implemented in four districts: 11 in Nawalparasi, 2 18in

Kapilvastu, 3 in Bardiya and 2in Kailali.
Photo : Completed Overhead Tank in Nawalparasi District 19
 Water Quality Monitoring

Permanent Laboratory Network in six locations (Itahari,

Chitwan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Nepalgunj & Dhangadi)
WQT on individual's demand
WQT on project basis (Region wise)

Test Kits in 75 districts

Mobile Water Quality Testing VAN

Customized and Emergency WQM from central/Regional level

 Distributing Mobile Water Quality
Testing Van for Eastern Regional Lab
( Itahari-Sunsari)
 Distributing Mobile Water Quality Testing
Van for Far-Western Regional Lab
(Dhangadhi-Kailali)
Water Quality
Testing at
Mangal Bazzar
Lalitpur

Water Quality
Testing Mobile
Van
Mobile water quality testing of shallow tube well in Dhanusa District
 Field Orientation on
Chlorine dosing & how to
test residual chlorine in
Godavari
 Rautahat Judibela VDC

Water Quality Testing

Kailali Pawera VDC

Current Policy / Regulations on Water Quality
• Constitution of Nepal (2015)- “Each citizen shall have the right to access to safe water and
hygiene”

• Water Resources Act- 1992 and Drinking Water Regulations – 1998

• National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS)- 2005

• WQ Surveillance Guideline-2013 by MOH

• Drinking Water Service Provider Directives- 2012 & Working Procedures- 2014

• The State of Arsenic in Nepal,2011 - Report

• Arsenic Information Management System (AIMS) Application, 2011

• Sector Development Plan (SDP) - Draft

• Draft Umbrella WASH Act & Policies- Draft

• Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030)

28
28
 Sector Collaboration
UNICEF – Arsenic Mitigation, WSP Promotion, WQ
Advocacy, Capacity Development
WHO - WSP Promotion, WQ Advocacy, Capacity
Development, WQ Surveillance, WSP Auditing
JICA – Arsenic Mitigation, WQ promotion
Finish Gov/FINNIDA – Arsenic Mitigation, WSP
Promotion
ADB, WB – Water Quality Promotion
HELVETAS - Water Quality Promotion in Rural Areas
ENPHO, NEWAH – Water Quality promotion
Other Stakeholders/Development Partners, I/NGOs like
GWT Nepal/DFID -Water Quality Promotion
 Challenges
Achieve Target( 21 % to 40% by the end of
2024/25)

Internalize WSP in the project cycle as a water

quality assurance tool

Few trained manpower on plant operation &

Insufficient technical manpower in Laboratories

Surveillance Mechanism just in initial stage

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cfly{s aif{ @)@$.)@% ;Dddf @! Aff6 $) k|ltzt k'¥ofpg .
 vfg]kfgL ;'/Iff of]hgfnfO{ cfof]hgf rqmdf u'0f:t/ cfZj:t
ug]{ cf}hf/sf] ¿kdf cfGtl/sLs/0f ug]{ .
k|zf]wg k|0ffnL ;Grfngsf] nflu pknAw yf]/} tflndk|fKt
hgzlQm ÷Nofa ;Grfngsf] nflu ck|ofKt k|fljlws hgzlQm
vfg]kfgL u'0f:t/ lgu/fgL ;+oGq s]jn ;'?jftL r/0fdf dfq 5 .
 Challenges……

• Weather induced hazardous, too turbid in rainy season.

Many treatment units are not able to treat with such a
big load.

• Too many schemes ( more than 44000) and needs huge

amount of investment

• Inadequate Institutional Capacity for WSP

Implementation

• Water quality monitoring / functionality and

accessibility of laboratory
32
32
 r'gf}tLx¿
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f]t lgs} wldnf] x'g] sf/0fn] ubf{ w]/}h;f] kfgL
k|zf]wg k|0ffnLdf cTolws nf]8sf] sf/0f kfgL k|
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cTolws w]/} l:sdx¿ - $$ xhf/ eGbf a9L_ df
cToflws a9L nufgLsf] cfj:ostf
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Ifdtf
vfg]kfgL u'0f:t/ cg'udg÷;Grfng tyf kfgL
 Current Initiatives in WQ Upgrading
Devolution of WSP Implementation Program to the
Local GOV.
New Projects should be with private connection
addressing WQ Issues
Water Treatment Plant Design Manuals (from 0.25
lps to 5 lps)
Development of Climate Resilient Water Safety Plan
Hand Book and Training Manual, SOP for treatment
plants, Leaflets on chlorination and bacterial
contamination- supported by WHO

Water Quality Testing Mobile Vans in all provinces

Vffg]kfgL u'0f:t/ k|j4{gsf ul/Psf ;'?jftx¿
vfg]kfgL ;'/Iff of]hgf sfo{qmd :yfgLo ;/sf/df lgIf]k0f ug]{
gofF cfof]hgfx?df vfg]kfgL u'0f:t/ ;lxt lghL wf/f k|0ffnL
vfg]kfgL k|zf]wg k|0ffnL l8hfO{g Dofg'cn lgdf{0f - )=@
%–% ln÷;]_
 ljZj :jf:Yo ;+u7gsf] ;xof]udf hnjfo' cg's"lnt vfg]kfgL ;'/Iff
of]hgfsf] xof08a's tyf tflnd Dofg'cn, kfgL k|zf]wg k|
0ffnLx?sf] ;+rfng ljlw (SOP), Snf]l/g];g / AofS6]l/of k|
b"if0f ;DaGwL lnkmn]6 lgdf{0f tyf ljt/0f
;a} k|b]zdf vfg]kfgL k/LIf0f Eofg ljt/0f
 Way Forward
Harmonize existing water quality related documents
with SDG, draft SDP, draft Umbrella WASH Act& Policy

Development of Water Quality Monitoring Frame

Work ( Federal, Province, Local Level)

Internalize Water Safety Plan Concept in Project Cycle

Formulation and Implementation of “ Safe Water

Community ’’ Concept

Supporting role for effective implementation of Water

36
Quality Surveillance
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Thank You