Every year on March 22, the global community observes World Water Day with renewed commitments, ambitious targets, and powerful slogans. In 2026, the theme "Where Water Flows, Equality Grows" emphasizes a vital truth: access to safe water is not just a development goal, but a foundation for dignity, equality, and human rights. Yet, for millions of people living in Nepal's hills and mountain regions, this global celebration remains symbolic far removed from their daily realities of water scarcity and hardship.

Despite global progress, around two billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water. In Nepal, government data suggests that approximately four million people remain without access to basic, safe drinking water services. However, the ground reality particularly in remote, rural, and underserved communities is far more alarming than these figures suggest. Many communities continue to rely on distant, seasonal, and often contaminated water sources, exposing them to health risks and daily uncertainty.

Nepal has made significant strides in sanitation, with official claims indicating nearly universal toilet coverage and the declaration of the country as open defecation free (ODF) in 2019. While this achievement is commendable, it masks critical gaps in sustainability and functionality. In many rural and peri-urban areas, toilets are either unused or have become non-functional due to lack of water supply, poor construction quality, and absence of maintenance mechanisms. Consequently, open defecation continues in practice, quietly reversing the progress that has been celebrated at the national level.

The situation in schools is equally concerning. Although national statistics present an encouraging picture, a significant number of community schools still lack functional water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Many water supply systems installed in schools have become dysfunctional due to inadequate operation and maintenance, while toilets remain unusable due to water shortages. Without reliable water access, these facilities cannot serve their purpose, directly affecting children's health, attendance, and dignity especially for adolescent girls.

Water scarcity in Nepal is not just an infrastructure challenge; it is a profound social and gender issue. Across hilly and mountainous regions, women and girls bear the primary responsibility for water collection. Every day, thousands of women walk hours to fetch water from distant sources, often carrying heavy loads across difficult terrain. For many young girls, this responsibility means missing school or dropping out altogether. The physical burden, combined with lost opportunities for education and income, perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality.

In such contexts, the global narrative of celebration rings hollow. On World Water Day, while conferences, workshops, and seminars are organized often in comfortable urban settings millions continue their daily struggle for water. In cities, hotels and conference halls are filled with discussions on water security, climate resilience, and gender equality. Yet, the voices of those most affected are rarely heard in these spaces. The contrast is stark: while policies are debated in air-conditioned rooms, children in rural villages spend the day collecting water instead of attending school.

This raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: can World Water Day truly be considered a celebration if the basic water needs of vulnerable communities remain unmet?

At the same time, Nepal is facing an emerging water crisis driven by environmental and climatic changes. Scientific studies and field observations indicate that nearly 70 percent of spring sources in hilly and mountainous areas are either drying up or significantly declining. These springs have traditionally been the primary source of drinking water for rural communities. Their depletion, largely due to climate change, deforestation, land-use changes, and unsustainable water extraction, poses a serious threat to long-term water security.

Groundwater resources are also under stress. In many areas, groundwater levels are declining at an alarming rate due to over-extraction and insufficient recharge. This trend is expected to worsen in the coming years, further intensifying water scarcity. Climate variability, including erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry periods, is compounding these challenges, making water availability increasingly unpredictable.

Compounding the problem is the poor functionality of existing water supply systems. It is estimated that only about 25 percent of water systems in Nepal are fully functional, while the majority suffer from partial or complete failure. These failures are often due to technical design flaws, lack of regular maintenance, insufficient community ownership, and weak institutional coordination. As a result, significant investments made in the water sector over the years have not delivered sustainable outcomes.

Addressing this issue does not necessarily require building entirely new systems. Revitalizing and upgrading existing infrastructure can be a more cost-effective and sustainable approach. By investing in rehabilitation, technical improvements, and proper maintenance mechanisms, many dysfunctional systems can be restored to full functionality. This approach not only maximizes the impact of past investments but also ensures quicker and more efficient service delivery to communities in need.

Effective coordination among Nepal's three tiers of government federal, provincial, and local is essential to achieving this goal. Strong partnerships with non-governmental organizations, international development agencies, and community-based organizations can further enhance implementation. However, these efforts must be guided by accountability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to reaching the most marginalized populations.

Equally critical is the protection and restoration of water sources. Nepal possesses a rich heritage of indigenous knowledge and traditional practices related to water management. For example, in the past, communities constructed small ponds like Buffalo ponds in grazing lands and forest areas to support livestock. These ponds also played a vital role in groundwater recharge and maintaining ecological balance. Over time, many of these traditional systems have been abandoned or neglected.

Reviving such practices, combined with modern scientific approaches, offers a promising pathway toward sustainable water management. Initiatives such as spring source protection, recharge pond construction, rainwater harvesting, and watershed management can significantly enhance water availability. Encouraging community participation and ownership in these efforts is crucial to ensuring long-term success.

Another important dimension is water quality. While access to water is a major concern, the safety of that water is equally critical. A large proportion of Nepal's population still consumes untreated or inadequately treated water, often directly from natural sources. This exposes communities to waterborne diseases and health risks. Promoting household-level water treatment solutions, strengthening monitoring systems, and ensuring compliance with national water quality standards are essential steps toward improving public health.

Ultimately, World Water Day should not be measured by the number of events organized or reports published. Its true significance lies in the tangible improvements made in the lives of people who lack access to safe water. Redirecting even a portion of the resources currently spent on high-profile events toward practical interventions in underserved communities could bring transformative change.

Imagine a World Water Day where, instead of organizing expensive seminars, resources are used to rehabilitate a village water system, protect a drying spring, or provide safe drinking water to a school. Imagine the impact if communities that have waited decades for reliable water supply finally receive it on this day. That would be a celebration with real meaning a celebration that honours the spirit of equity, dignity, and human rights.

Water is not just a resource; it is life itself. For millions of people in Nepal, access to safe water remains a distant dream a dream shaped by decades of neglect, inequality, and systemic challenges. Until that dream is realized, World Water Day will remain incomplete.

The path forward is clear. We must prioritize action over symbolism, impact over appearance, and people over processes. By focusing our efforts and resources on those who need them most, we can transform World Water Day from a ceremonial observance into a genuine force for change.

Only then can we truly say that where water flows, equality grows.

Dr. Rawal is a water, sanitation and hygiene expert