Renewable World’s innovative work in supporting the development of hydram technology in Nepal is beginning to bear fruit, and promises the extremely exciting possibility of supporting and promoting the expanding private sector provision of hydram technology across Nepal over the next few years.
To date Renewable World has worked with local partner CRT-N to bring hydram technology to Nepal and develop the technical understanding of its use and promote recognition of its impact and benefits. The Renewable World programme has involved training a Nepalese engineering team in the technology and securing the license for CRT-N’s private sector wing to produce the technology in Nepal. The local team is now in the process of establishing four sites, all several hours drive east of Kathmandu, in rural areas where this technology is or will be providing constant water supply to extremely poor consumers at minimal cost. The potential payback period for the installation of this technology is extremely favourable making it a prime candidate for commercialization.
CRT/N and local partner Rural Mutual Development inspect the newly installed hydram in Mahadevsthan
The hyrdam pump technology uses a combination of pressure and gravity to force water uphill and is able to pump at a constant rate for 24 hrs a day. We saw one such system where constant water supply is now being provided to a school of 600 pupils and teachers in Mahadevsthan, Dahling district. This is the only high school in a disparate and far flung area of over 7,000 people (there are 19 primary schools) and therefore many of the children must board. As a result water is needed for their washing, cleaning and sanitary needs as well as toilet facilities; all this was previously carried by hand. Now the time saved can spent on education, and with improved sanitation, the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases will be reduced, both at the school and in the village (as the toilets are used by local villagers too).
The secondary school at Mahadevstran where 600 pupils now benefit from a constant source of water for washing, cleaning and sanitation.
Following this initial phase Renewable World is now in discussions to develop a programme to promote the commercial production of this technology across Nepal by licensing private sector suppliers to manufacture, market and sell the technology across the country. We hope this process with ultimately help to drive down the unit price, increase efficiencies in the production process and ensure greater up-take of the technology. The future is potentially extremely exciting for hydram in Nepal.
Menaka Lohane, Treasurer of the Water Users Committee who collects payment for the use of the water in the school which is used to maintain the hydram pump.