Nepal: ADB project to improve water supply and sanitation services in small towns

Updated - Thursday 15 October 2009

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting a Nepal Government project to improve water and sanitation services in small towns throughout the country.

It has approved a US$ 45.1 million (€ 30.3 million) grant for the Second Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project. The Government of Nepal will provide US$ 20.5 million (€ 13.8 million), while beneficiaries and local governments will contribute US$ 6.1 million (€ 4.1 million).
Despite previous efforts to improve services in Nepal’s small towns, many areas suffer from intermittent water supply, repair backlogs, and contaminated sources – particularly in the southern plain area bordering India.

The new project will provide safe drinking water to 240,000 residents and improved sanitation facilities to 270,000 people in 20 small towns. It involves developing new water sources, constructing water treatment plants and storage tanks, and rehabilitating existing infrastructure. It will also provide private latrines, public toilets, sludge disposal facilities, wastewater management facilities (if justified) and storm water drainage.

In 2000, the ADB provided a US$ 35 million (€ 23.5 million) loan to the first Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project, which served 29 small towns.

Related news: Nepal: urban water project “too expensive for the poor”, Source Weekly, 20 Dec 2006

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