1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Prospects and challenges of water use systems as climate adaptive option for sustainable water management in Himalayan Region

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Kathmandu University (KU) - Nepal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

Comments:

The technology used serves as a source of providing water for drinking and other multiple uses; such that it acts as a means to conserve and manage water resources rather than degrade them.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Water from source in hill top is collected in a small reservoir (to preserve natural source), then passes onto a Reservoir Tank (RVT) / Ferro-Cement Tank / "Ghaito" for drinking water with a capacity of 4000L. When the RVT gets filled, water overflows, is collected in another concrete irrigation pond (10,000L) for irrigation. From the ferro-cement tank (Ghaito) and concrete irrigation pond, two pipelines are fed and water supplied into individual tap-system or MUWS tap towers for multiple purposes.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology is applied in a natural environment, i.e. natural water source. The source of water is a natural source of water that sits atop a small hill which is owned by the government. From the source, water is collected in RVT ( for drinking water) and concrete irrigation pond ( for irrigation). PVC pipes are fed onto the tanks to distribute the water for multiple purposes to 4 MUWS tap towers or tap systems or "Thaado". These MUWS tap towers consist of two faucets each- one for drinking and the other for irrigation and other purposes.The major purposes of this technology are to supply clean water for drinking and other multiple purposes through a cheap, effective and simple system. The natural source of water is locally maintained. Operation and maintenance works are not mandatory, however the locals are responsible for maintaining it should the need arise. The system was financed through a public-private-partnership (PPP) program; out of which some amount was funded by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)- Sundar Nepal ( NPR. 2,77,000 ), some amount by the Village Development Committee (VDC)- (NPR. 2,63,000), and the remaining amount was collected by a locals’ group (NPR. 60,000). For establishing the system, labor and construction materials were needed for building the tanks and pipeline systems. For the maintenance, manual labor is necessary. The quality of the water that is supplied to the households is good and the quantity seems sufficient for the 19 households. Sustainable use of water resources through a MUWS system, cheap and effective way to conserve water resources, ensuring availability of clean water even through dry seasons are some of the technology's advantages. Similarly, clean water, more water for irrigation for vegetable farming, simplifying day-to-day life are some of the strengths of the technology. Dislikes could be the limited availability of water during the dry season and that out of 4 systems only 2 are in operation and the other ones are in a non-working condition.

Management system in place for MUWS:
A separate committee is set up for the smooth operation of the system, which consists of 20 members- 10 males and 10 females. The head of the committee is Mrs. Kopila Sunar. The committee conducts a monthly meeting to discuss the problems and need of maintenance. During the initial setup, the connection of pipelines from the tap systems to the reservoir tanks was, however, done with the contribution of the locals. Every month, each family from the 19 households contributes NPR. 100 ( One Hundred Rupees) , which goes to a fund that is set up for the times of need. The labor contribution by the people of the VDC was dependent upon the number and availability of family members in the household. Similarly, the use of the MUWS system and water from it is also dependent upon the availability of family members. Little to no maintenance was done to the system till now from 2075 B.S. ( 1 years) . Equal number of male and female members are in the committee dedicated to the MUWS system.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2018

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Sundar Nepal- a non-governmental organization (NGO) helped with Odaltaal Multiple Use Water Systems

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

• improve water security and increase efficient use at a household level

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Irrigation and Multiple Uses: The locals use the technology in order to irrigate their cropland so that the plant productivity is increased. As well, the introduction of this technology has opened up doors to new possibilities like construction of tunnels ( green houses) so that the locals can grow seasonal and off-seasonal vegetables in their backyards. Animal husbandry has also been an increasing practice. Human uses like washing, cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc are amply sufficient due to adequacy of water from this technology.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Comments:

Before the introduction of the technology, the land productivity was minimal. Water for human uses like bathing, cleaning, washing, cooking, etc. were scarce; especially during the dry seasons. No green houses were constructed. They used to rear very few cattle.

3.4 Water supply

other (e.g. post-flooding):

• Natural source (Mool) of water in foliage atop a hill

Comments:

The supply of water comes from a natural source ( 'mool' in local language) , where a small enclosure is constructed so that the source is preserved and water is amply supplied to the ferrocement RVT for drinking purposes ( 'Ghaito' in local language) and concrete irrigation pond for irrigation purposes.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water harvesting
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• ground water management

• Gravity Fed Multiple Use Water System (MUWS) , New Scheme

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

The technology is comprised of structural measures, barbed wire fences to surround natural water source, iron lid top, cement enclosure for water source, pipes feeding onto the source, ferro-cement RVT, tap towers, faucets, concrete irrigation pond, etc.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Before setting up the technology, much of the water during dry seasons would evaporate from the natural source ( mool) and there would be scarcity of water during dry seasons. This has been addressed by the technology, where securing the natural source of water prevented evaporation and storing water in enclosed tanks helped supply water during dry seasons.
Similarly, due to no preservation of the source and no storage tanks, the water would be soiled by sediments, wastes and insects' larvae. After setting technology up, the quality of water has vastly improved as well.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

Comments:

The technology prevents water source degradation, improves perennial water availability, helps tackle with the effects of natural calamities like drought, etc.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

NPR

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

110.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Enclosement for the groundwater source	Before rainy season
2.	Construction of Ferro-cement tank for Drinking Water	Before rainy season
3.	Construction of Concrete pond for Irrigation	Before rainy season
4.	Securing the perimeter for the tanks	Before rainy season
5.	Laying down the PVC pipework	Before rainy season
6.	Construction of 4 individual MUWS tap towers ( Thaado in Nepalese language)	During rainy season
7.	Final touch-ups, Setting up faucets, Preliminary checking	During rainy season

Comments:

A total of 3 months ( roughly 90 days ) was required for the construction of the technology to be complete.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Voluntary by locals					100.0
Equipment	Irrigation Pond		1.0	275000.0	275000.0	10.0
Equipment	Ferrocement Tank ( Ghaito)		1.0	225000.0	225000.0	10.0
Equipment	Securing fences, Perimeter securing for tanks and water source		1.0	50000.0	50000.0	10.0
Equipment	Setting up MUWS tap towers ( Thaado in local tongue)		4.0	12500.0	50000.0	10.0
Equipment	PVC Pipes					100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					600000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					5454.55

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

1.Village Developmment Committee:NPR. 2,63,000 2.Sundar Nepal NGO: ~ NPR. 2,77,000 3.Water – Users : NPR. 60,000

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Plan on Changing PVC pipework for a Galvanized-Iron (GI) pipe	1 time after PVC pipes damaged by wear and tear, lime, etc
2.	Plan on Construction of another Drinking Water Tank	When the one tank is not sufficient for providing enough water

Comments:

Construction has been completed and technology is in use since a year only, so no maintenance works till now. However, construction of another drinking water tank and changing the PVC pipes for GI pipes is imminent in near future.

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Voluntary					100.0
Equipment	Drinking water tank construction	1	1.0	75000.0	75000.0	50.0
Equipment	Laying down GI pipesinstead of PVC Pipes	1	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	25.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					125000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					1136.36

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The non-governmental organizations and government offices (Village Development Committee) have expressed an interest to help financially in the construction of another drinking water tank and GI pipes laying should the need arise.

Comments:

These are the expected costs should the need of such arise.
The water users' committee, along with NGO's and governmental bodies shall bear the costs in the said maintenance works.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The construction materials- rods, concrete, cement, bricks and Galvanized Iron (GI) pipes would cost the most

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Before the introduction of MUWS technology, the water used to be a problem during the dry seasons. However, after the technology was applied, the natural ground water source is conserved, people have been monitoring the water levels cautiously and nowadays, the water sustains the locals during the dry seasons as well.
Salinity is not a problem, but the presence of lime in the water is a problem.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Birds are abundant, new fowls are sighted regularly.Lampuchhre ( Long-tailed widowbird),Ravens,Hawks,Peacocks and peafowls,Peasants,Guinea fowls and other fowls; rarely seen before are common after setting up the technology.

Animal sighting is rare. Forests, although consisting of a few varieties of trees, like Saal ( shorea robusta), Sadhana ( Moringa) , Belauti ( Guava), Sallo ( pine tree), Aap ( Mango). very few species are abundant in a given stretch of land.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Members of the community: 1:1 ratio of males to females
Age : mostly middle-aged, a few children and few elderly
Caste/ Ethnicity: Thakuri, Dalit and Janajati
Literacy: 1 person completed High – School level (+2), rest are literate ( Class 5)
Total Land Holding: < 10 ropanis of land, Human Settlement since 2040 B.S. ( since last 36+ years) in search of better opportunities and access to better services of water, roads, etc.
Total households: 19
Jobs: Males : bread- earners, construction workers, labour, farming
Females: Housewives, Farming. Most of the males in the village have been to foreign country ( India specially) for manual labour and mostly females are present in the village.
Ethnicity: Few families are of Upper- Caste: Thakuris ( as per Nepalese traditions) and most are Dalits and Janajatis, who were considered low-caste previously. The term "lower-caste" has been abolished now.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state

• The source, tanks fall under community forest area- owned by the Government

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

Specify:

Previously, the society had a caste system in which the higher and lower caste discrimination was done and the water tainted by the lower caste ( Dalits, Janajatis) were deemed “unfit” by the upper caste ( Thakuris, Brahmins, Chhetris). However, after the abolishment of the caste system, everyone enjoys equal rights to the access to water.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

Comments:

The access to health, education and markets along with other facilities is only accessible after a 15 minute journey to the ‘bazaar’ or market area from the village.

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

MUWS focuses mainly on the preservation of water resources through its sustainable use.
Similarly, this technology also addresses the water shortage issues (especially in dry seasons), tackles effects of climate change, ensures water availability in geographically challenged areas, uses minimal modern technologies (relies on gravity for water supply) , is cost-effective ( little to no maintenance costs) and also ensures the social and economic well-being of water users through off-farm and farm incomes ( with the help of drip irrigation).

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Since this technology is adapted in a small area, without any significant construction, there is virtually no off-site impact at the moment.
However, beneficial off-site impacts can be expected in the long run.

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	moderately
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	moderately
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

The system has been in operation since a year only. Thus, long term effects are yet to be visible. Evident from the cost of operation and maintenance with the benefits of the technology, there is a positive impact evident.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Substantially less amount of lime present in water than what was previously found.
Availability of water even during the dry seasons.
Increase in the productivity of perennial vegetables in kitchen garden, construction of tunnels for farming vegetables possible

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Water quality vastly improved, no lime and/or saltiness present in water
Need of alternative sources of water during dry seasons not present after construction of MUWS system
Overall productivity of land improved through effective irrigation of water
Self-sufficiency in the aspect of water and crops, as well as alternative sources of income increased leading to improved quality of the lives of the water users.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Water levels not rising in two tap systems of the four	Technician could oversee the problem of elevation and give a viable solution so that 4 out of 4 tap systems could be functional again
Pipes’ diameter and quality could be improved	If the government and/or NGO could add to the savings of the group, good quality of GI pipes could be installed instead of the PVC pipes used

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The tank for irrigation is left open at the top	Closing the top of the tank
The pipes used are not sustainable	The use of heavier PVC pipes and/or hybrid GI pipes could result in less chances of system failure due to lime in the water

7.1 Methods/ sources of information