Safe Drinking Water in the Annapurna Conservation Area

Ann McLean - Team Leader, community development consultant; health education campaign, enterprise management training, publicity campaign planning for the international tourist trekker market, monitoring of environmental , health, employment and income impacts
Tony Woods - Renewable Energy Engineer. Tony's responsibility involved input into the design of the ozone water system, as well as design and installation of the micro hydro and solar PV systems used to power many of the water treatment stations. Technical training of operators and managers at each location as well as training Master Trainers within ACAP.

This project aim is to reduce the incidence of water-borne disease in local inhabitants, eliminate disposable plastic bottles from the Annapurna Conservation Area, create employment for local operators and generate a positive income stream for the local communities. Objectives are to install and train local people to sustainably operate small-scale drinking water stations in some twenty villages around the ACA. Each station treats and sells water to local inhabitants and international trekkers, reducing the need to boil water or transport disposable plastic bottles into the ACA. Revenues generated first pay for the full cost of the equipment and are then used for local development projects as decided by individual communities. Renewable energy resources such as micro hydro systems or solar PV power all drinking water stations. The enterprises are not subsidised except via soft credit.

The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) is a unique high altitude conservation area. Water resources are abundant, but contaminated by high altitude wild life. Water-borne disease is a major cause of illness in the local population. The area is also visited by many thousands of international trekkers every year who bring income and employment to the local villagers. The international tourism market places increased stress on environmental resources such as fuelwood and water. To avoid contaminated water and the risk of disease or illness, the majority of trekkers either drink boiled water (which consumes fuelwood) or purchase treated water in plastic bottles that is packed into the park. Hundreds of thousands of these plastic bottles are used and discarded in the ACA each year.

• Project identification, formulation of proposal for funding
• Technical design of water treatment equipment and process used. Selection and sourcing of components
• Technical design and installation of micro hydro and solar PV energy systems for the water treatment units.
• Training of operators and managers in correct and sustainable technical and management procedures.
• Training of master trainers in technical and managerial issues and long term project management skills and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation program for technical, social and business management
• Assistance for village operation managers in developing financial management skills for funding future community projects out of revenues from the water treatment businesses.
• Establishment of a model for non-subsidised community enterprises; stakeholder liaison, monitoring and reporting.