The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) is all set to acquire new generator sets to produce and supply groundwater even during the electricity load shedding. KUKL stated that water sources are declining with the onset of dry season and the new generators will help to produce additional 40 million litres of groundwater daily.

“Groundwater is the chief source of water in the dry season,” said Rameshwor Shrestha, spokesperson at the KUKL, adding, “We are purchasing new generators to supply water during the power cut.” He told that the company is importing generators from India to overcome the power cut problem. One generator costs more than Rs. 1.2 million and has the capacity of 50 to 100 KVA.
The daily water demand in the Kathmandu Valley is about 280 million litres but the company has been able to supply 180 million litres in wet season and 90 million litres in dry season. “However, we could not generate more than 60 million litres of water per day in the last year’s dry season when we had 18 hours a day of power cut,” said Rameshwar Lal Shrestha. KUKL stated that there is no arrangement of operating cost to run the generators. Shrestha said, “The high profile consumers do not pay water bills despite supplying water to them. We might face problems to meet our regular expenses after using generators.” He added that the company has started the procedure to purchase generators. At present, the KUKL is generating groundwater from 64 deep tube wells around the valley.  KUKL started that underground water sources will be increased this year with the new generators.

Source: Nagarik, January 18, 2010