Measuring Water Deficit and Stress Level of Household in Nepal

Abstract

In the context of Nepal’s emerging small cities, where most households have faced the growth of water deficit and stress, this study delve the nexus between water deficit and water stress and adaptation capacity of households and lesson learnt. Surveying 317 sample households in 12 small cities for cross sectional data sets of households across three different elevations and ecological belts (Himal, Hill and Terai) under explorative and descriptive research design, the study has used economic analysis and index method to achieve above key objectives.   Our findings are presented here. Firstly, we found water deficit for one month long in these small cities relative to excessive water demand of households with reference to 20 liters and 50 liters water thresholds for basic utilities and more than basic utilities. The distribution of water deficit is uneven across three elevations and ecological belts. In the higher elevation (Himal), water deficit is higher than moderate elevation (Hill) and lower elevation (Terai). Lower water availability below average 0.9 liters water in the higher elevation causes water deficit. Secondly, we observed uneven water stress in all small cities across the different elevations (Himal, Hill and Terai) relative to water demand of 20 liters and 50 litres.  The level of water stress is extremely higher in Himal and Terai but is comfortable in Hills.  At a per capita daily water availability of 20 liters, household water stress is unevenly distributed across the small cities. Five cities in the Himal and Terai regions experience extreme stress, while seven cities in the Hill region remain largely unstressed, except for Bandipur and Marsyangdi, which face moderate stress. Overall, water deficits in the Hill region are lower than in the Himal and Terai. Although 20 liters per capita per day may suffice for basic household needs, most cities still experience high water stress, with the Hill region showing relatively lower stress compared to the Himal and Terai. When assessed against WHO standards (50–100 liters per capita per day), all cities exhibit extreme water deficits and critical water stress, highlighting a severe gap between water availability and the level required for an adequate standard of living. Thus, lower water availability is a key determinant to water deficit and stress at household in these cities. Therefore, additional avoidance cost to water deficit and stress that is economic cost to households increases vulnerability to the low-income groups more than the high-income groups and redistribute income and welfare of households in these cities for fostering poverty, inequality and health hazards. In this insight, this study argues saving water and efficient use of water for reducing water deficit and stress and their socio-economic impacts in the form of poverty, inequality and vulnerability. Therefore, the study advocates to use indigenous water-saving knowledge and technology for harvesting rainfall during the monsoon period, conserving fresh water and purifying polluted water for welfare and prosperity of these small cities in Nepal.