The WaterBlog

Bridging the Gap: Where and How to Finance Drinking Water Systems in Nepal

by Long Hoang, Rewati Dhakal, Atikah Eria Putri, Saroj Yakami, Lucia Moreno Spiegelberg, Abhishek Bhandari, Sunil Sha  Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for public health and economic growth. While progress has been made in expanding water supply systems in Nepal, significant challenges remain, particularly in financing these infrastructures at scale. As the country grapples with diverse geography and socioeconomic disparities, addressing the financing gaps in the water sector becomes crucial to ensure every citizen has access to clean water. By reflecting on the current state of the drinking water supply in Nepal and zooming in on the financing gaps, we elaborate on suitable financing mechanisms and concrete project concepts that can drive change.  1. Nepal Needs to Step Up on Drinking Water Supply Systems Nepal’s complex geography - spanning from the high-altitude Himalayas to the lowland Terai plains - poses unique challenges for water supply infrastructure. Currently, approximately 57.8% of the population in Nepal is using basic water… Continued