|
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy |
Kathmandu Valley is the country's single largest urban economy and is critical to Nepal's economic growth. Water is central to the well-being of the population and the key to its productive capacities. However, current water services are grossly inadequate and unreliable causing many people to resort to tankers supplies, bottled water, and both deep and shallow wells. The trend has led to serious environmental concerns as shallow wells are becoming increasingly polluted and deep aquifers are being mined to produce additional water. Poor water quality impacts sharply on public health. In terms of access to water (in the dry season) and quality of water, the effects are greatest on the health of the poor. The Project provides the required opportunity to address both the acute socioeconomic distress caused by the lack of adequate safe water to Kathmandu Valley residents, and the institutional challenges to provide water and wastewater management services on a sustainable basis. |
