Consumers in Rajbiraj padlocked the office of Nepal Drinking Water Authority (NDWA) on Tuesday, after it failed to distribute regular one-hour water supply to its consumers. Though the problem had persisted for months, nothing had been done to fix it. Moreover, the authorities had turned a deaf ear to consumers’ complaints, leave alone meet the rising demand for drinking water. Consumers have also complained that the water supplied through pipelines is contaminated. Consumers elsewhere, particularly those in the capital, have similar complaints. Ironically, while there is talk of raising the water tariffs sharply in the name of Melamchi, the Authority has done little to ensure a regular supply of pure drinking water to its consumers. It’s a sad fact that Nepal is one of the richest countries in terms of its water resources.

Unquestionably, it is because of the inefficient running of NDWA for years that the organisation has not been cost-effective. There is so much inefficiency, leakage and corruption. It is a known fact that most of the consumers do not regularly pay regular tariffs, due to excessive minimum and unit charge. The Authority, to improve the situation, should not only fix a reasonable tariff but also check irregularities within the organisation, and, cut its staff size to lessen its financial burden. But above all else, it should do all it can to ensure regular supply of drinking water to all its consumers.