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Toward sustainable urban water management in Nepal

National workshop on Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Urban Development in Nepal

Shangri-La Hotel, Kathmandu 15-16 October 2014

Eco-Efficient Urban Infrastructure, and Green & Livable Cities

Toward Sustainable Urban Water Management in Nepal

Sustainable urban Development Section, Environment and Development Division, ESCAP

Seoul, 11-13 May 2011 Slide 2/

Contents

1. Challenge 1: Urbanization progress and prospect in Nepal

2. Challenge 2: Resource consumption and GHG emission in Nepal

3. Challenge 3: Water access and sanitation in Nepal

4. Challenge 4: Current national policies for water infrastructure

5. Opportunities 1: Integrating eco-efficiency into urban infrastructure

6. Opportunities 2: Development of eco-efficient urban water infrastructure

7. Opportunities 3: Cases of eco-efficient urban water infrastructure


15-16 October 2014


Challenges for Sustainable Urban Development in Nepal:

Urbanization and Resource Constraints



Economic Growth in Nepal

Source: UNESCAP (2013)



Urbanization in Nepal

Source: UNDESA, World Urbanization Prospects 2014



Urbanization in Global Context

Source: UNDESA, World Urbanization Prospects 2014



Eco-Efficient Water Infrastructure, and Green & Livable Cities

Urbanization in Nepal

The fast-paced population growth in Kathmandu Valley:

- annual average growth rate: 4.3% (1991-2011)

Among the total population of Kathmandu Valley ( 2.5 million in

2011), urban population in the valley accounted for 60% (about

1.5 million in 2011).

While rural population has decreased, urban population has

constantly increased.

- rural population: 97% -> 81% (1950 - 2015)

- urban population : 3% -> 19% (1950 -2015)

Although proportion of urban population is smaller than global

average, urbanization rate is much higher than global average.


World Nepal

Urban Proportion (%) 54 13

Urbanization Rate (%) 0.9 2.03



Energy Consumption in Nepal




Greenhouse Gas Emission in Nepal

• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has been constantly increased (1990 – 2010):

- 25 -> 33 (million tons of CO2 equivalent)



Water Availability in Nepal

- Availability of renewable water resource has been extremely decreased for last 20

years: 11,034 -> 7,740 (m³ per capita per annum)




Water Consumption in Nepal

- As a result, water use has been also

decreased (for last 20 years):

12.3 -> 5.8 (m³ per capita per

annum)

- Most field of water consumption has

been from Agriculture


Domestic use 1.6%

Agriculture 98.1%

Industry 0.4%

Water Consumption (%)



Water Access in Nepal

Water access and sanitation in Nepal has been lower than other countries in the

Asia and the Pacific region.

- Water access in Urban area:

AP region: 97%

Nepal: 91%




Water Sanitation in Nepal

- Most serious problem in Nepal is lack of

sanitation infrastructures:

- Access to improved sanitation in Nepal has

been much lower than other Asia and Pacific

countries.

- Sanitation in Asia and Pacific : 59%

- Sanitation in Nepal: 35%

- This is main cause of water pollution in Nepal.




Source: UN Water website



Water Related Natural Disasters in Nepal

Nepal is mostly vulnerable to flood, storm and drought, and eco-efficient water management can relieve damages from these water related natural disasters.



Unplanned rapid urbanization

Increased resource demand / consumption

Increased GHG emission / environmental

degradation

Climate Change and natural disasters

Negative impacts of resource availability

Constraints for sustainable urban

development

Urbanization, resource consumption, and climate change



National Policies on Urban Water Infrastructures in Nepal


Water related policies in Nepal Arears addressed

1 Water Resource Act 1992 (2049 BS)

- The umbrella Act governing water resource

management.

- Declares the order of priority of water use.

- Vests ownership of water in the State.

- Provides for the formation of water user

associations and establishes a system of licensing

- Prohibits water pollution.

2 Water Resource Regulation 1993

(2050 BS)

- The umbrella Regulation governing water resource

management.

- Sets out the procedure to register a Water User

Association and to obtain a license.

- Establishes the District Water Resource Committee.

- Sets out the rights and obligations of Water User

Associations and licence holders.

- Deals with the acquisition of house and land and

compensation.



National Policies on Urban Water Infrastructures in Nepal


Water related policies in Nepal Arears addressed

3 Drinking Water Regulation 1998

(2055 BS)

- Regulates the use of drinking water.

- Provides for the formation of Drinking Water User

Associations and sets out the procedure for registration

- Deals with licensing of use drinking water.

- Deals with the control of water pollution and

maintenance of quality standards for drinking water.

- Sets out the conditions of service utilization by

consumers.

- Provides for the acquisition of house and land and

compensation.

4 National Water Plan (NWP) - Outlies the actions related to:

(1) Management of major types of water-induced disaster.

(2) Improvement of water quality and watersheds.

(3) Provision of safe drinking water and irrigation facilities

(4) Development of hydropower


Opportunities of for Sustainable Urban Development in

Nepal:

Eco-efficiency of Urban Water Infrastructure



Integrating Eco-efficiency into Urban Infrastructure

Eco-efficiency

“The concept of eco-efficiency seeks to develop synergies between the economy and the environment rather than just balance the trade-offs. An eco-efficient approach to urban infrastructure development can help governments save precious financial resources. Eco-efficiency can drive green growth and green economy.

------------------------------------ (UNESCAP, 2011)”




Strategies for integrating eco-efficiency into urban infrastructure

1. Driving Change: Leadership and political commitment

- Political commitment and leadership are essential for moving

beyond ad hoc decision-making and sector-specific policies,

allowing governments to respond to challenges and creating

opportunities for the long term.

2. Bridging the gap: Long-term vision and transition

management

- Only governments can bridge the time gap between short

-term costs and long-term benefits of eco-efficient

infrastructure.

3. Building the business case: Leveraging financing

- Governments need to build the business case for eco-efficient

infrastructure. Governments need to tilt the balance in favour

of sustainable practices and channel private sector investment

into eco-efficient infrastructure project (e.g. PIMAC in Republic of Korea).




`


Strategies for integrating eco-efficiency into urban infrastructure

4. Reshaping governance: Integration and coordination

- Promoting eco-efficient infrastructure requires looking at

infrastructure networks as a whole system, adopting a

life-cycle approach and prioritizing policies with multiple

returns (economic, social and environmental).

a) Vertical integration: Coordination between central

and local governments

b) Horizontal integration: Coordination among relevant actors

5. Leveraging public support: Public participation

- While strong leadership is required to steer cities in an

eco-efficient direction, public participation in planning and

designing infrastructure can drive change.





Development of Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure


Policy options

to integrated water supply, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and recycling and flood

control measures

Integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach to overcome inefficient water

uses

Distributed wastewater management system

to meet the wastewater treatment needs of users at the local level

Water cycling system through the reuse and recycling of water

to minimize freshwater demand and reduce wastewater

treatment needs

“Change the way water resources are managed: Develop an integrated and decentralized system ”

Source: Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for Asia and the Pacific, UNESCAP (2012)


Eco-Efficient Water Infrastructure, and Green & Livable Cities

Eco-efficient Infrastructure Eco-efficiency

The dominant paradigm of centralized

infrastructure development depended on

exploitation of natural resources.

unsustainable

A fundamental shift in the management

and use of resources is required.

Eco-efficiency

Eco-efficiency = economic efficiency + ecological efficiency

It means creating more goods and services with ever less use of

resources while creating less waste and pollution.

Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for Asia and the Pacific

http://www.unescap.org/resources/low-carbon-

green-growth-roadmap-asia-and-pacific


Good Practices of Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure


Recent ESCAP work:

1.Carried out a number of activities to enhance the capacity of policymakers

in designing, planning, and developing policy options towards eco-efficient

water infrastructure development in the region, including in Indonesia, the

Philippines and Nepal.

2.National Roadmaps to implement eco-efficient water infrastructure in

Indonesia and the Philippines – developed.

3.The concept of eco-efficiency has been recognized as an overarching

strategy in national water resources management, and the Government

agreed to mainstream the concept into their existing national development

plans.




Recent ESCAP work: 1. Pilot eco-efficient water infrastructure developed in Bandung, Indonesia and in

Cebu, Philippines: wastewater treatment system and the rainwater harvesting

system - installed to restore the deteriorated river quality through wastewater

treatment and diversify water supply sources by harvesting rainwater.

2.The outcomes of these activities were disseminated and discussed at national

and regional workshops.

3.The pilot projects - directly benefited the affected groups, which include around

120 low-income households, 200 university students, and more than 2,000

children.

4.Currently implementing a pilot integrated rainwater and wastewater

treatment system at Sathya Sai Shiksha Sadan, & a strategy paper here in

Nepal and pilot rainwater and storm water management system at the Bohol Island

State University (BISU) at Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines.




Republic of Korea (ROK)

•Technological Innovation:

In order to solve the high population density and the high seasonal variability in

precipitation, ROK Government has pursued engineering solutions, such as small

and large dams, including 16 multi- purpose dams in 2007.

Another technological innovation case is the reuse of treated sewerage water

thanks to cutting-edge sewerage treatment technologies and a list of laws since

2001.

•Policy Development:

ROK introduced a cascade of new institutions, including the ‘Guidelines for

Environmentally Friendly Dam Construction’ in 2003 and the ‘Environmentally

Sound and Sustainable Development Guidelines for Dam Construction’, in 2006.

These guidelines reflect socio-economic variables and encourage local residents

to set up resident councils for submitting their opinions to concerned authorities.

Source: Seungho Lee, Boosik Kang, and Ilpyo Hong



Singapore

•Technological Innovation:

The NEWater project via application of cutting edge technologies (recycled water)

and institutional reform in water tariff systems to conserve water as well as enhance

water quality.

‘NEWater’ is referred to as ‘treated water that has undergone stringent purification

and treatment process using advanced dual-membrane (microfiltration and reverse

osmosis) and ultraviolet technologies.’

•Policy Development:

Adoption of demand management for optimization of water saving - domestic

and non-domestic users have to pay S$ 1.17/㎥ 9US$ 0.72) at the consumption up

to 40 ㎥ /month, and domestic users will be charged S$140 (US$0.86) at the

consumption over 40 ㎥ /month, which is higher than the level to non- domestic

users.

The government has no intention to subsidize tap water supply and levies equal

prices to domestic and non-domestic users.



Green Growth, Energy & Water

Security, and Livable Cities Eco-Efficient Water Infrastructure,

and Green & Livable Cities

Ram S. Tiwaree, Dr.Eng.

Economic Affairs Officer

Sustainable Urban Development Section

Environment and Development Division

[email protected]

http://www.unescap.org/esd/suds

ESCAP – regional arm of the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific: 62 members


Eco-Efficient and Resilient Urban Infrastructure and Livable Cities

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.unescap.org/esd/suds

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