Performance Assessment of Salyankot Water Supply Project in Post-Earthquake Scenario of Nepal

The research work intended to assess the performance of Salyankot Water Supply Project for smooth operation and management particularly in post-earthquake scenario. Mulpani, Aginchowk and Salyankot Village Development Committee (VDC) of Dhading District are the service area for the project which is situated at about 120 km from the earthquake 2015 epicenter (Barpak, Gorkha). It is constructed under the financial support of Water Supply and Sanitation Division Office (WSSDO) Dhading with the substantial support of local community which serves 802 HH and 4302 population. Qualitative and Quantitative approach was applied with the help of primary and secondary data. Consultation with experts, observation and transect walk, four focus group discussions and a set of questionnaire surveying were done for the study. Physical, chemical and microbial water quality analysis at water source and microbial water quality at stand posts were made. The physical structure index, serviceability condition and management system of the project were analysed for the condition before and after earthquake. The Salyankot Water Supply Project (SWSP) was found satisfactory (56.81%) and good (95%) based on physical structure index after and before earthquake respectively. The current management system was not found satisfactory. It was having low practice of gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) in Water User and Sanitation Committee (WUSC) meeting and team formation, only the vital persons of the user committee were found active and general assembly meeting has not been held for over 6 years. It was found the WUSC financially depend on VDCs, District Development Office (DDC) and WSSDO Dhading for operation and maintenance. After the three sources of SWSP get depressed after earthquake, the supplying quantity of water does not meet the demand. The quality of water was found within the prescribed limit of National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS) based on physical, chemical and microbial parameter. The average distance for the beneficiaries’ household to fetch drinking water was found within the range of 100 m.Performance of the project has decreased in terms of physical structure index, serviceability condition, functionality index, and management system due to earthquake.