Valley water quality worsening

September 19, 2003
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The quality of underground water, the major source of water in Kathmandu, is in gradual decline due to contamination and pollution, a report said Friday.

Hydro-geologists say the main reasons behind the contamination of underground water are unmanaged septic tanks and growing land and river pollution, a news report in The Rising Nepal said Friday.

“Rapid urbanisation without a proper sanitation system coupled by poor sanitary habits of the residents are the major causes of groundwater pollution,” said Dibya Ratna Kansakar, Senior Divisional Hydrologist.

Septic tanks should be built at least at 15 metres’ distance from a tube well or other sources of underground water. The same criteria apply to garbage disposal,” said Dr. Hirababu Sigdel, a medical doctor.

Unmanaged shallow wells, tube wells and polluted rivers also pollute underground water, according to another hydrologist Nawaraj Shrestha.

Despite worsening water quality, health hazardous arsenic has not been detected in the Kathmandu Valley water, the report said. nepalnews.com mr Sept 19