UN-HABITAT in collaboration with ADB's Pilot Demonstration Activities (PDA) programme, successfully constructed a community scale reed bed wastewater treatment system (RBTS) in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality to demonstrate appropriate technology for decentralised wastewater management at the community level. This system will benefit more than 3000 people and will enable promotion and scaling up of this system in future specially in nine small towns under UEIP programme. Ecological sanitation (ECOSAN) and rainwater harvesting are other components to demonstrate options of better sanitation and an alternative source of water to the community. This programme will help to improve environmental health conditions & living conditions of the communities and provide economical benefits through reuse and recycling of waste and wastewater. The major activities conducted under this programme are:

Construction of a reed bed wastewater treatment system: This is a new initiative in Nepal to demonstrate appropriate technology for decentralised wastewater management with involvement of the local community. This pilot programme will enable promotion and scaling up of this system in other communities in future. This will provide improved sanitation system to more than 3000 population in the community.

Construction of urine diversion dry toilets (ECOSAN system): ECOSAN toilets to be constructed in two communities’ viz. Thimi and Siddhipur will provide sanitation facilities to about 60 poor and marginalized families. As these are predominantly farmers’ communities, construction of these toilets have further assisted in demonstrating the possibility of recycling the nutrients in human waste in a hygienic way.

Promotion of SODIS: Promotion of SODIS as a simple and cost effective household scale drinking water treatment option

Establishment of Water Optimisation Demonstration Site: Various water optimising techniques like rainwater harvesting system, urine diversion dry toilet and wastewater treatment system have been set up at the building of a local NGO-Environment and Public Heath Organisation (ENPHO). As a result of setting up these components and brining them into its daily use, ENPHO has successfully established itself as a demonstration center for water optimisation techniques.

Conduct a national seminar: A national seminar was conducted for mass demonstration and awareness about the project and its benefits for possible upscaling in future.

Development of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials: Various IEC materials like brochures of the project activities, tele film and posters on water optimization techniques and values-based water education manual has been published for creating awareness on these techniques.