February 10, 2019
The soft opening of the Hamsapur pump system has been conducted on the 31st of December 2018. It was made evident that the pump system worked well. Mr. Nabaraj Ojha, chairman of Rupa Rural Municipality along with many villagers joined the testing of the pump system. Moreover, representatives from the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), Kaski, Suryodaya Urja Pvt. Ltd., a local agent of solar-based Grundfos pumps for Nepal, local government officials and the Unica Foundation all took part in the ceremony of testing the pump system. In addition, the representative from Suryodaya Urja briefed on the operation system of the pump and the protective measures of the solar panel. He also answered all the questions the villagers had.
The community of Hamsapur were gathered with enthusiasm to see the pump system and to learn how the pump system works. They seemed very pleased to see the large stream of water pouring out of the pipe. One representative from the community expressed his happiness of receiving the water for their community which was long-awaited. He also promised to complete the rest of the pipeline work rapidly, so they will be able to get the water to their yards sooner. Naba Raj Ojha, chairman of Rupa Rural Municipality, said he is highly satisfied with the volume of water that has been pumped up and thanked the NRCS Kaski and Unica Foundation for the successful construction and installation of the pump system.
The solar-based pump from Grundfos has been installed to pump up water for a vertical height of 240 meters. This is necessary, because there is no water source above the settlement, so the water has to be pumped up from lower regions.
The Hamsapur Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) project has been running since December 2017 and is expected to be completed in May 2019. So far, 90% of the construction work, as well as training for the development of skills, has been completed. This project aims to provide clean drinking water, help them with sanitation, provide skills development and generate income to 454 people from 88 households and 165 students of a school in Hamsapur.
