The Japan government has pledged a grant assistance of up to Rs 4.529 billion for the improvement of water supply project in Pokhara, Kaski district. The project will be the first water treatment plant to be constructed in Pokhara.

A bilateral agreement to this effect was signed amid a function at the Ministry of Finance in Signha Durbar, Kathmandu on Wednesday, read a press statement issued by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masashi Ogawa, Finance Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi, and Jun Sakuma, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal signed on the Exchange of Notes for the project.

This project will install a water treatment plant, distribution pipes and improve the current supply facilities so as to meet drinking water quality standards of Nepal in terms of turbidity and chlorine content. The project will ensure that all target households would be supplied water seven days a week.

Likewise, the project will reduce water leakage, adjust the water supply pressure, reduce the unaccounted water (non-revenue water) ratio and take other measures to increase the collection rate of water tariffs and improve the operation system.

These measures are expected to improve the water supply services overall that are overseen in the target area by the Pokhara branch of the Nepal Water Supply Corporation.

The water treatment plant site is situated along Mardi River, while other distribution facility is installed across Pokhara sub-metropolitan city. Construction of the Project will be completed in 2022. The Project aims to enhance the conditions of living environment of Pokhara city residents and also contribute towards development of tourism industry there.