EDITORIAL

This month, we present the views of a local journalist on proposed price hike in Kathmandu’s water, along with regular news and views from ENPHO & beyond. Water continues to be a scarce resource in Kathmandu as the demand is more than twice the supply. This situation has come about mainly due to poor management of the water supply system. Last year, the management of Kathmandu’s water supply system was handed over to a private company, Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) and ADB provided us with three international experts who have been serving as General Manager, Technical Manager and Finance & Administration Manager at KUKL. However, in spite of these major changes, the consumers have yet to experience any improvement in the water supply system. Furthermore, it is not clear what the plans are to improve the system. We understand that changing a large water supply utility takes time, but as we are dealing with a critical and sensitive issue such as water, we urge KUKL to seriously consider the urgency of the situation and provide the people with a time bound plan of action for change.  

AIR IS GOING TO COST MORE THAN WATER

:: ENPHO NEWS ::

FIELD INSTALLATION OF WAPIC

To test the effectiveness of water pasteurization through improved cooking stoves (WAPIC), the field testing was planned in 3 different geographical regions in Nepal viz. Terai, Midhills and High hills or Mountains. Accordingly, Gundu VDC in Bhaktapur and Thansing VDC in Nuwakot (near Kakani) were identified representing mid-hill region where 5 WAPIC test units were installed in each site. Similarly, Dang is the lowest elevation where 10 WAPIC units were installed recently. Among 10 WAPIC units in Dang,   nine were installed at household level whereas one installed in a larger improved stove called institutional improved cook stove (IICS) at Padmodaya hostel. The microbial analysis is underway for Gundu and Thansing to find microbial removal efficiency of WAPIC.

IAP MONITORING AND LUNG FUNCTION TEST IN DANG

ENPHO has been conducting indoor air monitoring and health assessment in two pot hole mud Improved Cook Stove from the past year.  With the objective to assess the function of the improved cook stove after one year of use, ENPHO with the support from AEPC/ESAP has initiated this project. Three geographical regions previously monitored, Dang, Dolakha and Ilam are planned to be monitored again. In this regard, IAP monitoring at Dang was conducted. Of the total 14 households, 11 households participated in the study whereas rest of them was dropped from the study. Along with the IAP monitoring, a lung function test is designed. The objective of the endeavor is to find out the lung function among cook (usually women) of Improved Cook Stove and Traditional Cook Stove. The lung function is carried out with a portable Diagnostic spirometer, EASEWARE V2.2, followed by a health questionnaire relating to respiratory symptoms and disease. Considering the American Thoracic Society’s lung function testing protocol and also considering NIOSH protocol, the spirometry was performed to get the reproducible and replicable data.  In Dang, 14 ICS users and 15 TCS users’ lung function was tested. The duration of ICS use varied from 1 to 5 year whereas in most cases, the duration of TCS use is more than 5 year in general. Further analysis is going on.

PROMOTION OF POU OPTIONS CONTINUES  

In Hetauda Municipality, altogether 935 individuals of different wards were trained on different POU options and hygienic practices in the month of November-December 2008. Similarly, the POU program as integrated with the water and sanitation program of Butwal Municipality where 88 individuals were trained. From 20-27 December, the ENPHO team visited Nepalgunj and Butwal in order to review progress and to identify new schools where the POU program is necessary. In this regard, baseline information on water and sanitation was collected and it was found that all schools drink water directly. Also the team made an assessment of the community using POU options, problems faced and share their experiences.  

ENPHO PARTICIPATED IN KRISHI TATHA PARYATAN MAHATSHOV

Lumbini Filter Udhyog and ENPHO jointly participated in “Krishi Tatha Paryatan Mahatshov” organized by the Butwal Municipality & Udhyog Banijya Karyalaya, Butwal   on 24 December 2008  to 4 January 2009. There were altogether 385 stalls. In this event, all the POU options were demonstrated focusing on Lumbini Filter and this stall won second prize (stall no. 270). There were more than 20000 participants in this event.

PIYUSH MAKES GREAT LEAPS IN SALES

PIYUSH has made great leaps over the period January-November 2008 in both sales volume and in particular market share.  Retail market data for POU chlorine solutions shows that in January 2008, PIYUSH market share was approximately 7%, with Waterguard having 93% of the market.  However, by November 2008, PIYUSH had increased its market share to 40%, with Waterguard having 55% of the market. The graph shows market share data for POU chlorine solutions for the period January-November 2008.  Even with the decline in overall sales following the end of the monsoon, PIYUSH sales have remained very strong at the retail level. These independent, objective results are remarkable given the short period of time.  We expect that the recent shopboards and other ongoing promotional activities will even further contribute to the growth of PIYUSH.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM ON SAFE DRINKING WATER IN TOKHA

Bottlers Nepal Ltd. in partnership with ENPHO, Tokha Youth Council and local Women’s Group on 24 December organized community awareness program on safe drinking water in Tokha Chandeshwori and Tokha Saraswati VDCs. A half day orientation program was organized to educate local women (40) about household level POU drinking water treatment options that are simple, cost effective and easily applicable. The orientation program was followed by stone spout cleaning up campaign in both Chandeswori and Saraswati. The local women, youth, ENPHO representatives and Bottlers Nepal staff members participated in the clean up program.

CBME TRAINING TO USERS’ COMMITTEE AND SHE TEAM OF SIDDHIPUR

Community-based Monitoring and Evaluation (CBME) training was organized by ENPHO to orient Users’ Committee members and Sanitation & Hygiene Education (SHE) team of Siddhipur Integrated Water and Sanitation Project (SIWSP) from 8-9 December. The main purpose of two day training was to orient them on how to effectively use different formats and tools of CBME developed after series of discussion and interactions with them. The tools and formats to be used at CLTS level include following themes for monitoring: water quality and quantity; latrine use; health and hygiene; operation & maintenance; and gender monitoring. The training was facilitated by Yubraj Shrestha, CBME expert.

UPDATES ON SCHOOL POU PROGRAMME

ENPHO with support from UNICEF has been implementing School POU installation and promotion programme in 188 schools at Panchthar, Parsa, Dang and Kapilvastu. ENPHO has provided technical assistance to respective Water Supply and Sanitation Divisional Offices to install and monitor School level POU options such as Large Colloidal Silver Filter (CSF), Plastic CSF, Large Biosand filter and SODIS. The water quality testing and monitoring of installed POU technologies at schools in Panhcthar district has been completed and on going in remaining districts. Preliminary water quality testing results showed very good effectiveness of these POU options in removing bacteria from drinking water. All designated programme activities will be completed by the end of January.

SLTS STARTED IN JYOTI SECONDARY SCHOOL

ENPHO had lunched “Gundu Environment & Sanitation program” in April 2008 at Kiwachok area of Gundu VDC in Bhaktapur. ENPHO has completed the construction of 60 Ecosan toilets and 25 Sulav toilets including 10 Wet Ecosan toilets, 3 biogas toilets, 41 soak pits and 1 kuwa being renovated. Similarly, one school toilet has also been constructed. ENPHO has also started SLTS program. In this process, various training groups such as toilet sanitation group, gardening group, garden cleanup group, classroom cleanup group etc. were formed. This group has been actively participating in this program.

R&D UNIT ACTIVITIES

• ENPHO started Water quality monitoring for Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL). The monitoring included water quality measurement at 90 sources in Kathmandu Valley. Altogether, 35 parameters are being measured.
• Research site for urine application was moved from Lanagol, Kirtipur to Gundu, Bhaktapur.
• Arsenic analysis of 1500 samples for DWSS was completed. The report was also submitted to DWSS.

MEETINGS/PRESENTATIONS

• Rabin Bastola, Resource Center Manager participated in ‘Capacity Building Training on Effective Media Communication Skills’ organized by UN-HABITAT and Guthi at Nagarkot from 18-19 December. 
• Bipin Dangol, Programme Manager at ENPHO, participated at “District Coordination Meeting on Drinking Water and Sanitation Programme” organized by Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), Kathmandu District Chapter on 26 December, 2008. NRCS will be implementing drinking water and sanitation improvement programme at Nangle Vare VDC at Kathmandu with close coordination and partnership with key stakeholders. Mr. Dangol put forward potential areas where ENPHO can contribute and develop partnership with NRCS for providing service to community people of the VDC.
• On 12 & 13 December, Bhushan Tuladhar attended a Planning Workshop organized by BORDA and Consortium for DEWATS Dissemination (CDD) Society in Bangalore to plan a three year partnership between BORDA, CDD Society and ENPHO that will promote decentralized wastewater treatment systems and community based sanitation in Nepal.
• On 6 December, Bhushan Tuladhar participated in the “Run for Climate” Campaign and gave a speech on Climate Change and the Role of Youth at Basantapur Durbar Square.
• On 21 December, Bhushan Tuladhar made a presentation on “Technical Aspects of Solid Waste Management” for Chief Executive Officers of various municipalities. The programme was organized by Practical Action Nepal and Municipal Association of Nepal.
• On 29 December, Bhushan Tuladhar gave a presentation on “Indoor Air Pollution and Health” to Improved Cook Stove Promoters and other stakeholders at Dhading Besi. The programme was organized by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre/Energy Sector Support Programme, Cetre for Rural Technology and AEROCOP.
• On 30 December, Bhushan Tuladhar gave a presentation on “Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism in the Nepalese Context” to Rotract Clubs of Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• On 31 December, Bhushan Tuladhar gave a presentation titled “Air Pollution in Kathmandu: Challenges and Opportunities” to a National Stakeholder Meeting organized by Clean Air Network Nepal. Honourable Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ganesh Sah, also attended the session.     

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:: LOCAL NEWS ::

Kathmandu Metropolitan City to invest in Wastewater Treatment

During its 15th Meeting held on 2nd January, the Kathmandu Municipal Council has announced that it will work towards stopping the discharge of sewage into the rivers and build wastewater treatment plants. The meeting unveiled KMC’s annual programme and budget of Rs. 1.879 billion for this fiscal year.

CLIMATE CHANGE STANDS AS DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE

In an effort to raise public awareness on the effects of global warming, International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) organized an interaction on ‘The Role of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Mountain System in the Context of Changing Climate’ Friday. Deputy Director General for ICIMOD, Dr.Madhav Karki, while speaking to The Rising Nepal stated that climate change in Nepal’s context is not just an environmental challenge but is also a developmental challenge that should be taken into consideration while drafting the new constitution. "Global warming is a challenge that will have to be managed in a coordinated manner to mitigate its effects in the development of the country. We are not prepared for natural disasters like floods caused by glacier lake outbursts, desertification of mountain regions, shortage of water and droughts. ". During the event, organised as part of ICIMOD’s 25th anniversary celebrations, seven panelists, including foreigners, spoke on what climate change means to them and what according to them were the key challenges their countries faced.The panelists were Dr.Christopher Beier, director for Asia and Latin America, GTZ; Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture in Bhutan; Dipak Gyawali, director for Nepal Water Conservation Foundation; Prof. Bruno Messerli, Vice Chair of ICIMOD board of Governors; Prof. Sun Honglie, vice chair for Scientific Steering Committee of China Climate Change; Dr. Pitamber Sharma, Vice Chairman for National Planning Commission, Nepal; and Prof. A.N Purohit, Former Vice Chancellor of SNV.
Source: The Rising Nepal, 5 December

AWARENESS DRIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

As part of a global action against climate change, organizations working in environment and conservation sector today staged Global Demonstration on Climate Change in the capital. More than 30 organizations, including WWF Nepal, Nepalese Youth for Climate Change and Clean Energy Nepal, jointly organized a rally from Jawalakhel to Basantapur with placards carrying slogans against climate change in order to sensitize people to tackle global warming. The demonstration included street dramas on climate change and initiatives people need to take in order to tackle global warming and stop emission of the greenhouse gases. The slogan of the day was ‘Local action for global solution’
Source: Himalayan Times, 7 December

CLEANING CAMPAIGN AT MACHHEGAUN ORGANIZED

Center for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) in co-ordination with Machhegaun Environment Improvement Committee organised a cleaning campaign on 6th December at Machhegaun as a start of Water and Environmental Sanitation Improvement initiative. Building awareness for total sanitation, technical support in toilet construction, fecal sludge management and encouraging use of environment friendly toilet like ECOSAN are some of the activities proposed. More than 70 per cent households in Machhegaun use compost in their field.
Source: The Rising Nepal, 8 December

SANITATION PROGRAMME CONDUCTED IN SCHOOLS

Human life-based water, sanitation and health education programme has been conducted in various 10 schools of the capital on the joint initiatives of Education Ministry, UN habitat and Environment protection camp. The program implemented are Lalit Kalyan lower secondary, Yashodhara Bhuddha secondary, Mahalaxmi higher secondary, Siddhimangal higher secondary, Bhayodaya higher secondary, Woolens school, Kathmandu University secondary, Adarsha Kanya higher secondary and Minanath primary. The program aims at imparting education to school students on water use, protection and sanitation and public health issues. The program has also planned to integrate information on water, sanitation and health as mentioned in school level curriculum on the effort of Education Ministry and to ensure necessary amendments as per need, said Habitat Chief Technical advisor Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha.
Source: The Rising Nepal, 28 December

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:: GLOBAL NEWS ::

REPAIR SEWERS OR GO TO JAIL

The Delhi High Court has sentenced a former chief executive officer of the Delhi Jal Board and two other officers to two weeks in jail for not repairing sewer lines in the capital and letting the sewage flow in to the Yamuna without treatment. The Court on November 25 held former Chief Executive Officer Arun Mathur, Chief Engineer (drainage) R K Jain and Executive Engineer P Pant guilty of committing contempt of court by not abiding by an undertaking given to it two years ago to repair broken sewer lines and stop flow of sewage into the storm-water drain in four areas of south Delhi. The three officers were also fined Rs. 20,000 each.
Source: Down to Earth December 1-15, 2008

A ‘BLACK MAGIC’ CO2 FIX

Biochar, similar to charcoal used by pre-Columbian Amazonian cultures to boost crop yields, could help the fight against climate change by securely locking carbon away in soils for thousands of years, according to the December-January issue of ECOS magazine. Biochar is made by heating woody waste at high temperatures without oxygen, a process that also produces biogas and usable ‘bio-oil’, renewable energy sources. The stable black carbon-rich solid left after these are captured can remain in soil for up to 5000 years. Read more at: http://www.csiro.au/news/Ecos-Dec-Jan-issue.html
Source: CSIRO Newsflash, 9 December

GLOBAL WARMING’S SILVER LINING: COULD WATER VAPOR COOL THE PLANET?

Evaporation might be a cool answer to global warming. That or it could put the earth in even hotter water. Ron Ace, a Maryland inventor, says he has an idea that could clear up the fog surrounding solutions to climate change by creating more of it. Ace has designed “a colossal refrigeration system with a 100,000-fold performance multiplier.” He told the Seattle Times that “the Earth has a giant air-conditioning problem.” “I’m proposing to put a thermostat on the planet,” Ace said. He is seeking a patent for the proposition to spray giga-tons of water into the atmosphere in order to cool it down. He would avoid the tropics, releasing most of the moisture into the Northern Hemisphere, he explains. Among other effects, the water would turn into vapor, absorbing thermal energy and lowering the planet’s temperature. But critics see danger in the making. “In the case of the computer models that are used for global warming, I know that the hydrological cycle is a critical component of those models, and the hydrological cycle is not well understood,” says Douglas Davis, an atmospheric chemist at Georgia Tech University. Others experts believe that geoengineering is not a healthy approach to solving an impending climate crisis. Instead, they suggest paying more attention to human behavior and resource consumption.
Source: www.circleofblue.org/waternews, 18 December

IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY – COMBINE PRODUCTIVE SANITATION, CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE AND WATER HARVESTING

All speakers presented arguments why combining productive sanitation with rain water harvesting and conservation agriculture will give large synergies. This combination of good management practices has not been tried at large scale yet, but many of us left the seminar with the intention of implementing this combination.

Honorary Jennipher Byakatonda, Minister of State for Water, Uganda, shared her experience from southwestern Uganda, where they know that the fertilizing effect of urine is large. Yield increase is three times. Director Maimbu Malesu continued that the World Agroforestry Centre, ICRAF, is working on rain water harvesting, productive sanitation and conservation agriculture in different projects. ICRAF now wants to combine these features. Laurent Stravato informed that IFAD, in cooperation with CREPA and SEI, will investigate the impact of productive sanitation on the agricultural productivity and livelihood of poor households in Niger.

Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja, UNCCD, pointed out that the geography of hunger and poverty coincides with that of degraded lands and that degraded lands fixates less carbon. To improve livelihoods in Sub Saharan Africa we have to improve, not degrade, the land. Simultaneously this will counteract climate change. Professor Rattan Lal, State University of Ohio, continued by comparing soil to a bank account. If you take out more than you put in, the productivity goes down. The soil is degraded, and not even an elite variety crop will yield well. To improve the soil, you have to put more in than you take out.

Dr. Moussa Bonzi, CREPA, pointed at productive sanitation as a way of putting more into the soil. He shared with us the excellent yields which urine fertilized crops produced in their experiments. Often their yields were better than that of urea fertilized crops. The urine fertilized crops were also well accepted by the consumers, Dr. Bonzi responded to a direct question.
Source: www.ecosanres.org, 19 December

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:: TEN WAYS TO LIGHTEN YOU UP ON STARK, DARK DAYS ::

The new load-shedding schedule has caused much distress among people. Mindless timing schedule resulting in negative reactions from people is justifiable, though there are things, which we can to do to combat this dark vortex, which will only get worse with the passage of time.

We have 10 suggestions to remain sane in the maelstrom we call “load-shedding”.Generation Y can spend quality and “quantity” time (12 hours of load-shedding) at home with family, as other places are sure to be enveloped in darkness.

• For the romantics, candle-lit settings are a perfect way to have dinner on nights when the power is off from 8pm-2am (thrice a week).
• People can have a bon-fire on their terraces or lawns with a scrumptious barbeque to beat the load-shedding.
• Happier days ahead for husbands, as their wives will not be stuck in the routine saas-bahu rut. No hang-ups as to who will watch television when.
• Kids can get away with not doing their homework and have a plausible excuse not to study. Parents please note that it is imperative that you keep emergency lights at home if you want your children to study.
  With barely enough time to charge your mobile phones, you can watch movies at the cinema hall without your cell phone disturbing you in the middle of a racy scene.
• You can avoid a bath and get away with it. Others will smell just the same, if not worse.
  Married women can finally find time to catch up on their reading, order grub or make instant food. The mothers-in-law will definitely understand.
• You can sit out and gaze at stars, they are much more clearly visible in winters and if you are lucky you may see a few shooting stars. This can be immensely romantic.
• Last, but not the least, read The Himalayan Times back to back. We are really informative and entertaining.
  Source: The Himalayan Times, 31 December

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:: UPCOMING EVENTS ::

INTERNATIONAL COURSE ON WATER SAFETY PLAN
16-19 March 2009
 
The ITN-BUET is going to organize International Course on Water Safety Plan (WSP) during 16-19 March 2009 at ITN Centre, BUET. The main objective of this training course is: To orient and create awareness and to expand knowledge base of the participants on current approach of safety management of water through operational monitoring and process control.
For details:
Sk. Abu Jafar Shamsuddin, Centre Manager, ITN-BUET, Bangladesh
Tel: 9663693; Fax: 9663695 E-mail: itnoffice@itn.buet.ac.bd
 
THE 3RD INTERNATIONAL DRY TOILET CONFERENCE
One year after the International Year of Sanitation –
Are the Millennium Development Goals realistic?
 
The 3rd International Dry Toilet Conference will be held in Tampere, Finland, on 12-15 August 2009. The purpose of the DT2009 is to continue the progress achieved by the previous conferences, DT2003 and DT2006, organized in 2003 and 2006 respectively. The objective of the conference is to offer a discussion platform for professionals and other interested parties and to distribute the latest information about various aspects of dry toilets. The Conference is organised by The Global Dry Toilet Association of Finland, in cooperation with Tampere University of Technology, TAMK University of Applied Sciences and University of Tampere.
For details: http://drytoilet.org/dt2009/

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Edited by: Bhushan Tuladhar & Rabin Bastola

Designed by: Babukaji Magar

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Phone: 977-1- 4468 641 / 4493 188
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