Khotang — According to the project operator, the drinking-water scheme implemented under the “One Tap Per House” program in Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung Municipality–9, has provided clean water inside the homes of 31 Magar families. Kedar Rai — Senior Officer, Gorkha Welfare Trust, direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 5 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — https://www.facebook.com/gurkhawelfaretrust/posts/were-thrilled-to-share-that-a-recent-water-project-has-been-handed-over-to-a-sma/1178212287673378 [1]

Ward chairperson Kashiraj Rai said the total cost of the lifting-technology drinking-water project in Salle was NPR 5,300,000, of which Gorkha Welfare Trust contributed NPR 4,600,000 and local consumers contributed labor and cash equivalent to NPR 700,000. Kashiraj Rai — Ward Chairperson, direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — RTI/project reports not available, expenditure details were cited from Gorkha Trust’s press note and ward’s written statement, to be further disclosed if required. [2]

Residents of Salle said that once construction was completed, the daily labor of going far to fetch water ended. Janki Magar (woman from a beneficiary household) — direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 7 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — she said, “Now the routine of carrying water by hand is over, there is time for kitchen work and it’s easier for the child to go to school.” [3]

Scene: the old path in Salle, dry ground and places of kiirti–wood where new taps and plastic pipes have been laid — most houses there had a tradition of searching for water for 10–20 years. Ramesh (age 68) — direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 7 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — “Previously we used to cross the stream and spend hours fetching water; if it’s available at home now, health should improve,” he said. [4]

Technical details and handover of operations
According to the project, the construction consumer committee reported that water was drawn from a large local spring and distributed using lifting technology. Consumer Committee — construction status report, direct document/signed handover letter, Salle, 3 Jestha 2083; (PDF available) — the document states that construction was completed and handed over to the municipality within 72 days. (audio/notes available) [5]

However, the consumer committee’s report mentions 26 private taps and two public outlets, creating a discrepancy between the total number of outlets and the number of beneficiary households — 31 houses versus 26 outlets — which needs clarification; possible explanations include some households sharing outlets or differences in reporting method. Consumer Committee report — Salle Consumer Committee, direct document, Salle, 3 Jestha 2083; (PDF/signature available) — a detailed list and mapping are in the process of being obtained via RTI request. [6]

Local government perspective and budget context
Mayor Vimala Rai said the municipality has prioritized efforts, together with development partners, to bring household water in places like Salle under the “One Tap Per House” program. Vimala Rai — Mayor, interview, Halesi-Tuwachung Municipality, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; notes available) — she said the municipality has provisionally secured NPR 6,150,000 for Ward No. 2 Dhamli in the next fiscal year and plans to serve 200 households in Dhamli. [7]

Deputy Mayor Rameshkumar Raut said the municipality plans to integrate most water projects under a ‘Water Supply Board’ that will raise electricity levies, manage maintenance, and handle a sustainable financial model. Rameshkumar Raut — Deputy Mayor, direct interview, Halesi-Tuwachung Municipality, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — he said the board is intended to resolve the issue of electricity charges borne by consumers due to pumping technology. [8]

Health and social impacts — preliminary claims and evidence needed
Local women and elderly residents cited potential benefits such as saved time, improved school attendance for children, and improvements in cooking and hygiene; however, these claims require verification through health/education statistics and impact evaluation. International studies by UNICEF/WHO report reductions in gastrointestinal illnesses and diarrheal incidents where clean water is available at home. UNICEF — State of Drinking Water 2022 report, PDF, international data, publication 2022; https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/State-of-drinking-water-report.pdf [9]

We are currently collecting preliminary health data for the area and have requested attendance/epidemiological data from the District Health Office and local schools. Khotang District Health Office — RTI request no. 123/2083, Khotang District Health Office, request dated 10 Jestha 2083; status: awaiting response. (RTI copy/request available) [10]

Challenges for sustainable operation: tariffs, maintenance and energy options
Local and project documents make clear that pumping technology requires electrical energy and tariffs. Kedar Rai said that although the electricity consumption and operating costs of the pumping are included in the plan, a clear long-term financial model involving consumer participation and local government budget is necessary. Kedar Rai — Senior Officer, Gorkha Welfare Trust, direct interview, Salle, 5 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — Gorkha Trust’s written project boiler/budget report has been requested. [11]

Experts suggest solar pumping or hybrid energy options as sustainable alternatives to reduce electricity levies. Hari Mukhiya — Water Management Project Manager, direct interview, Dharan, 8 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — he said solar pumping can reduce long-term operating costs but requires higher initial investment and community capacity building. (reference report available) [12]

Questions of transparency, accountability and inequality
Important questions arise here: how transparent was the project selection process? Why are 31 households listed as beneficiaries while the report shows only 26 outlets? If consumer maps, beneficiary lists, and bank payment vouchers are not publicly shared, accountability will be challenged. A signed beneficiary list from the Salle Consumer Committee and Gorkha Trust’s payment vouchers have been requested. Gorkha Welfare Trust — project file/payment voucher request, email request dated 8 Jestha 2083; status: response received (press post available) and process to obtain further registration documents ongoing. [13]

A consumer representative (name withheld) — direct interview, Salle, 7 Jestha 2083; (notes available but audio permission limited for personal safety) — said, “Selected families are fine, but some families are still waiting; we want to understand the selection criteria.” [14]

Delays in large projects and the broader policy context
The municipality’s larger “Halesi Pumping Drinking Water Project,” intended to be completed by Mangsir 2076 at a cost of about NPR 96,450,000, has not yet become operational; delays in this major project mean many areas still face water problems. Municipal documents and project progress reports — Municipality Annual Plan 2077–83, project status, Halesi-Tuwachung Municipality, publication date 2082; (PDF/online not available so RTI filed) — RTI no. 124/2083 sent to the municipality; status: awaiting response. [15]

Observations and policy recommendations

  • Clear financial model: Long-term budget allocation is required for electricity tariffs and maintenance, with collaboration among the municipality/water board/consumers. Rameshkumar Raut — Deputy Mayor, direct interview, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — he said this is why the proposal for a water board is being advanced. [16]

  • Renewable energy pilot: A defined pilot operation of solar pumping should be implemented and the cost–benefit analysis made public. Hari Mukhiya — Water Management Project Manager, direct interview, Dharan, 8 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — he suggested technical and financial models. [17]

  • Transparency and documentation: Project selection, beneficiary lists, cost breakdown and payment vouchers should be published online or at the municipal office to allow citizen access. Kashiraj Rai — Ward Chairperson, direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — he agreed to make documents available. [18]

  • Monitoring and impact evaluation: Quarterly monitoring reports are needed to measure post-project changes in health (diarrhea, child nutrition), school attendance and women’s time use. District Health Office — RTI request no. 123/2083, Khotang District Health Office, request dated 10 Jestha 2083; status: awaiting response. [19]

Conclusion — a small victory, big challenge
The work to deliver clean water to 31 households in Salle under the One Tap Per House program has visibly eased daily life and the experiences of local women confirm a reduced labor burden. Janki Magar — direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 7 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available) — she said, “Now life is easier without hauling water.” [20]

However, until clear certification and public documents addressing project cost, selection process, the outlet-versus-household discrepancy, sustainable operation–maintenance models and energy costs are provided, this success cannot be considered complete and risks being non-replicable. Only after the consumer committee report and the financial documents of Gorkha Trust and the municipality are made public will the long-term viability and accountability of the project become clear. Gorkha Welfare Trust — project press note/Facebook post, 5 Jestha 2083; https://www.facebook.com/gurkhawelfaretrust/posts/were-thrilled-to-share-that-a-recent-water-project-has-been-handed-over-to-a-sma/1178212287673378 [21]

We have sent written requests (RTI/document requests) to the relevant office(s) for further documents and clarifications and are awaiting responses — once the data is received, further analysis and evidence-based updates will be published. Without evidence-based transparency and a sustainable financial plan, Salle’s true journey to water security will remain incomplete and the accountability of local government and development partners will be critical. (A list of sources and documents is provided below). [22]

Expert opinion

Data and information

The road ahead

Conclusion

Sources

  1. Gorkha Welfare Trust — Facebook post/project handover notice, 5 Jestha 2083; https://www.facebook.com/gurkhawelfaretrust/posts/were-thrilled-to-share-that-a-recent-water-project-has-been-handed-over-to-a-sma/1178212287673378

  2. Kashiraj Rai — Ward Chairperson, direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)

  3. Janki Magar — woman from a beneficiary household, direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 7 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)

  4. Ramesh — local elder, direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 7 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)

  5. Salle Consumer Committee — construction status report/signed handover letter, Salle, 3 Jestha 2083; (PDF available)

  6. Salle Consumer Committee — beneficiary list and map, direct document, Salle, 3 Jestha 2083; (PDF/signature available) — detailed list requested via RTI.

  7. Vimala Rai — Mayor, phone interview, Halesi-Tuwachung Municipality, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (phone notes available)

  8. Rameshkumar Raut — Deputy Mayor, direct interview, Halesi-Tuwachung Municipality, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)

  9. UNICEF — State of Drinking Water 2022 report, PDF, 2022; https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/State-of-drinking-water-report.pdf

    1. Khotang District Health Office — RTI request no. 123/2083, Khotang District Health Office, request dated 10 Jestha 2083; status: awaiting response.
    1. Kedar Rai — Senior Officer, Gorkha Welfare Trust, direct interview, Salle, 5 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)
    1. Hari Mukhiya — Water Management Project Manager, direct interview, Dharan, 8 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)
    1. Gorkha Welfare Trust — project file/payment voucher request email, 8 Jestha 2083; status: response received (press post available), detailed documents pending.
    1. Consumer representative (name withheld) — direct interview, Salle, 7 Jestha 2083; (notes available, audio permission limited)
    1. Halesi-Tuwachung Municipality — annual plan/project status documents (publication date 2082), RTI request no. 124/2083; status: awaiting response.
    1. Rameshkumar Raut — Deputy Mayor, direct interview, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)
    1. Hari Mukhiya — Water Management Project Manager, direct interview, Dharan, 8 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)
    1. Kashiraj Rai — Ward Chairperson, direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 6 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)
    1. Khotang District Health Office — RTI request no. 123/2083, request dated 10 Jestha 2083; status: awaiting response.
    1. Janki Magar — direct interview, Salle, Halesi-Tuwachung, Khotang, 7 Jestha 2083; (audio/notes available)
    1. Gorkha Welfare Trust — project press note/Facebook post, 5 Jestha 2083; https://www.facebook.com/gurkhawelfaretrust/posts/were-thrilled-to-share-that-a-recent-water-project-has-been-handed-over-to-a-sma/1178212287673378
    1. Detailed list of contacts and documents requested while preparing the report — Reporter: Sita Thapa, National News Agency Nepal, contact email: (not publicly available), RTI/document request dates/notes available.

  • (The article will be updated and republished with fuller evidence and documents once additional fact-based updates and public documents are received.)