19-07-2018
The pump system was tested in the Kalika Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) project recently. Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), Kaski-district, and Suryodaya Urja Pvt. Ltd., a local agent of solar-energy based Grundfos-pumps, carried out the testing together. The local government officials also joined the event.
Many villagers were gathered there with a keen interest in the pump system. This was the most awaited day for them to observe how the pump system works as they are looking forward to the implementation of the project, which would relieve them from the age-long water scarcity.
Nabin Bhujel, director of Suryodaya Urja, said that the testing went all well. He is fully satisfied with the volume of the water that’s lifted. The solar-energy based Grundfos pumps are installed in two stages to lift the water for 520 meters vertical height, as there is no water source above the settlement to make a supply by gravity flow.
One of the locals, Nanda Kishore Tripathi (67), said: “I was not so sure that this project really brings water to the uphill, but these pumps have actually started pumping water into the collection chamber. Now we are enthusiastic about this project.” Likewise, Sabitri Bhujel (45), another local, shared: “I never thought that water from the downhill was possible to bring up to the top of the hill, but I finally saw it with my own eyes, thanks to the Red Cross Society and the Unica Foundation for making this project possible.”
The Kalika WaSH project has been running since August 2017 and expected to be completed in January 2019. So far, 80% of the construction work, including skill development training, is accomplished. This project aims to cater 1.704 people from 324 households in Kalika, Kaski, with providing clean drinking water as well as helping them with sanitation awareness, skill development & income generating training.
