Kathmandu, Aug 4, 2012: The Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation Users Nepal (FEDWASUN) is organising a two-day national conference on drinking water and sanitation from August 6.

The main aim of the conference is to draw policymakers’ attention to prioritise sanitation and hygiene issues for development, federation president Rajendra Aryal said. The conference will also seek effective action to provide universal access to basic drinking water and sanitation facilities to all by 2017, he added.

“Water and sanitation traps people in a vicious circle of disease, poverty and cost people their lives,” Aryal said adding that they will also analyse the access to drinking water during the conference.

About 200 participants, including government representatives and development partners, will take part in the conference, informed the president. According to a report of the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage-2010, only 80.38 per cent of population has access to drinking water where the sanitation coverage is 43.04 per cent.

The report shows that only 17.91 per cent of drinking water projects are in good shape, 38.85 per cent in need of minor maintenance, 11.82 per cent in need of major maintenance, 21 per cent require reconstruction, while one per cent of the projects are out of order.

According to the report, 75.1 per cent of drinking water project are in operation without regular maintenance. Although Nepal has abundance of fresh water resources, above three million people don’t have access to safe drinking water and nearly 21 million are without improved sanitation, states a World Health Organisation and UNICEF prepared report. (Source: The Himalayan Times)

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