SCOPING STUDY FOR ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY SERVICE OPERATING AND MANAGEMENT MODEL
Project Title
SCOPING STUDY FOR ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY SERVICE OPERATING AND MANAGEMENT MODEL
Project Location
Nepal
Project Client
Karnali Water Activity/USAID
Completion Date
Feb 2025
This study critically examines the limitations of the widely adopted community-based water supply service model in Nepal’s Karnali region and proposes context-appropriate alternative operation and management models that enhance WASH governance, promote inclusivity, and ensure the sustainability of water supply systems under the USAID Karnali Water Activity framework.
The USAID Karnali Water Activity employs a community-based model for water supply services, engaging local Water Users and Sanitation Committees (WUSCs) to manage systems post-construction. While used widely in both rural and semi-urban areas of Nepal, this model faces persistent challenges. WUSCs often struggle with tariff collection, lack of technical skills, and issues related to accountability, transparency, and inclusivity. Social inequities and weak WASH governance further strain their capacity, leading to poorly functioning systems soon after implementation. To address these issues, the USAID Karnali Water Activity started exploring alternative models for water supply service operation and management aimed at strengthening WASH governance and service delivery.
The main objective of the study was to identify and propose Alternative Water Supply Service Operation and Management Models, addressing the limitations of the community-operated model while ensuring inclusive and effective WASH governance and sustainability of water supply systems.
The assignment focuses on the Karnali Basin region which was divided into four watersheds: Rara, Tila, Middle Karnali, and Lower Karnali. The study spans eight districts: Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Dailekh, Achham, Surkhet, Kailali, and Bardiya, encompassing 29 municipalities in the buffer zone of the Karnali River within Nepal's Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces.
During this assignment, a comprehensive review of literature was conducted, including evidence from both successful and unsuccessful community-operated models, board models, municipality-operated models, and other management approaches practiced in Nepal and globally. This review aimed to understand the current situation, along with the challenges, strengths, and weaknesses of each model. In addition, consultations were held with key government agencies such as the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), Panipokhari, and the Ministry of Water Supply, as well as with FEDWASUN. Engagements also included NGOs and INGOs working in the sector, such as MuAN, NARMIN, and OXFAM, among other relevant stakeholders in the Karnali region. For the stakeholder consultation of Karnali region, a regional workshop was organized in Surkhet, and field consultations were carried out with service operators in Dailekh and Achham to gain insights into the models currently in use.
Based on the above results & findings, optimal Alternative Water Supply Service Operation and Management Models for water supply services compatible with the USAID Karnali Water Activity’s working area had been proposed.
The main objective of the study was to identify and propose Alternative Water Supply Service Operation and Management Models, addressing the limitations of the community-operated model while ensuring inclusive and effective WASH governance and sustainability of water supply systems.
The assignment focuses on the Karnali Basin region which was divided into four watersheds: Rara, Tila, Middle Karnali, and Lower Karnali. The study spans eight districts: Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Dailekh, Achham, Surkhet, Kailali, and Bardiya, encompassing 29 municipalities in the buffer zone of the Karnali River within Nepal's Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces.
During this assignment, a comprehensive review of literature was conducted, including evidence from both successful and unsuccessful community-operated models, board models, municipality-operated models, and other management approaches practiced in Nepal and globally. This review aimed to understand the current situation, along with the challenges, strengths, and weaknesses of each model. In addition, consultations were held with key government agencies such as the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), Panipokhari, and the Ministry of Water Supply, as well as with FEDWASUN. Engagements also included NGOs and INGOs working in the sector, such as MuAN, NARMIN, and OXFAM, among other relevant stakeholders in the Karnali region. For the stakeholder consultation of Karnali region, a regional workshop was organized in Surkhet, and field consultations were carried out with service operators in Dailekh and Achham to gain insights into the models currently in use.
Based on the above results & findings, optimal Alternative Water Supply Service Operation and Management Models for water supply services compatible with the USAID Karnali Water Activity’s working area had been proposed.
key Achivements
Governance-focused version:
Recognizing the systemic governance challenges in community-managed water systems, this study identifies and proposes alternative service operation and management models tailored to the Karnali Basin, aimed at strengthening institutional accountability, technical capacity, and inclusive decision-making in WASH service delivery.
Solution-oriented version:
To address persistent shortcomings in community-operated water systems—such as weak governance, technical gaps, and social exclusion—this study explores and recommends alternative service management models that align with the socio-institutional realities of the Karnali region and the goals of the USAID Karnali Water Activity.
Comparative analysis version:
Through a comprehensive review of national and international water service delivery models and extensive stakeholder consultations, this study assesses the viability of alternative operation and management approaches to replace or complement community-based systems in the Karnali Basin of Nepal.
Recognizing the systemic governance challenges in community-managed water systems, this study identifies and proposes alternative service operation and management models tailored to the Karnali Basin, aimed at strengthening institutional accountability, technical capacity, and inclusive decision-making in WASH service delivery.
Solution-oriented version:
To address persistent shortcomings in community-operated water systems—such as weak governance, technical gaps, and social exclusion—this study explores and recommends alternative service management models that align with the socio-institutional realities of the Karnali region and the goals of the USAID Karnali Water Activity.
Comparative analysis version:
Through a comprehensive review of national and international water service delivery models and extensive stakeholder consultations, this study assesses the viability of alternative operation and management approaches to replace or complement community-based systems in the Karnali Basin of Nepal.
