The Status of Domestic Water Demand: Supply Deficit in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

A significant water supply deficit of 102 million liters per day (MLD) was identified in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, in 2016, despite the completion of the first phase of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP). The study estimated domestic water demand and available resources to assess the valley's water crisis. If the MWSP is fully completed by 2023–2025 with adequate treatment and distribution infrastructure, it could eliminate this deficit, substantially improving water security in one of Nepal's most developed and populated regions. However, the research highlights the need for efficient utilization of MWSP water through robust infrastructure development and complementary strategies such as rainwater harvesting, land-use planning for recharge, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, and demand-side management to ensure sustainable water security.

Udmale, P., Ishidaira, H., Thapa, B., & Shakya, N. (2016). The Status of Domestic Water Demand: Supply Deficit in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Water, 8(5), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/w8050196