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Community Management of Old Age Traditional Dug wells

by | 14-02-2015 13:30 recommendations 0

Water is the prime need for survival of human for economic, agricultural, along with for the well being of all creatures. Ground water can be found almost everywhere. It is an important source for domestic use worldwide. Tube wells, dug wells, bore wells are the mode of extraction. The people of Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan city (LSMC) are not apart from it. The residents of LSMC are utilizing age old traditional dug wells as the mode of extraction for water in areas for drinking, cooking and other secondary uses. Most Communities are very effective in the management of these wells. This resource may minimize the drinking water problem in LSMC if properly managed by harvesting and recharging rain water into the ground and sustainable utilize with proper monitoring until the concern authorities KUKL completes the Melamchi Water Supply Project.


A recent study initiated within the core area of LSMC with twenty four traditional samples of dug wells, 20 (83.3%) dug wells were managed by management committees. Among which 20.8 % of the communities had the treatment facilities like Bio sand and IRF filtration while reaming 79.2 % had direct supply system. Tariff was collected in 70.8% of the communities for supply of water, which were being utilized for maintenance, renovation, mechanical improvement activities. According to Shyam Awale, Koyelaccchi?Value of the resource was realized only when the proper management and tariff plan was acted upon. Enough cash was not collected but did make people realize that from this resource economy for its maintenance operation for sustainability fund can be generated.?


Furthermore, based on Physico- chemical analysis of water, basic parameters prescribed by National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS) like Temperature, Turbidity, Electrical conductivity, Hardness, Chloride were analysed which were within acceptable limits while 41.6%, 58.3%, 42%, and 41.6% of dug wells exceeded NDWQS value in ammonia, nitrate, phosphate and iron. Bacteriologically all well was found to be unsatisfactory.


Furthermore, Sithi Nakha a local festival where Local Newar community cleans ponds, rivers banks, historic importance stone spouts, and dug wells in their locality were celebrated. 45.8% of the communities were practising this cultural aspect for the cleansing of the well as maintenance action. Thus Dug wells has played and essential role in supplying water in the Core area of LSMC as the KUKL fails to supply at most areas. As community management and involvement for the supply of water seems to be very well managed and systematic. Regardless, proper awareness toward rain water harvesting and recharge is crucial for water sustainability. In the mean time,  chemically and bacteriologically dug wells were found to be suspicious for drinking without proper treatment and disinfection, hence simple methods of treatment, regular water quality monitoring and proper disinfection method will assure water safety for better supply in most communities.

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3 Comments

  • Arushi Madan says :
    It is really good to know that dug wells are so well managed by local communities. Thanks for telling us about your local cultural festival "Sithi Nakha" .I wish there were festivals like this in other parts of the world too which encourage and motivate residents/communities to do cleaning of water resources as part of the festival tradition. Your report aroused my curiousity as to what actually is the significance /belief behind cleaning water sources as part of tradition of this festival. I googled & came to know that it is believed that cleaning such water sources will bring in rain for good cultivation of crops. It is also believed that the Sithi Nakha is celebrated to welcome monsoon as this is the ideal time to set up rice seedbeds.
    Thanks for the report, Abhishek.
    Posted 27-02-2015 01:03

  • says :
    Wow, it's surprising that traditional wells are well managed in good condition! Thank you so much for letting us know about the water supply in local community. I would never get reach about this information if there were not you :)
    Posted 26-02-2015 13:16

  • Rohan Kapur says :
    Well reported Abshishek. This is regretting that enough funds were not generated.
    I hope that this becomes successful & people are able to get potable water in near future.
    All the best.
    Posted 24-02-2015 02:37

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