Case studies of data collection and decision-making for small low-income community water supply in Nepal

This project seeks to develop decision making tools to aid practitioners in Nepal to select appropriate improved water supply measures, using selected small low income communities as case studies. These include three rural communities (Bhalakhalak, Sonbarshi, Chamar Tolia) and a periurban squatter community near Kathmandu (Manohara). Household data was collected via questionnaires and site visits to assess the current practices and inform decision making. Standard water quality data was also collected to characterise water sources, several of which were deemed unsuitable for safe water supply. A decision framework, in the form of a ‘Yes/No’ decision tree, was then developed which incorporated site specific technical, demographic, and socioeconomic considerations and used literature information and local experience. It is hoped that the framework can be applied to decision making in other low income communities that face similar challenges.