41022-022: Second Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector

Initial Environmental Examination

January 2014

NEP: Second Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project-Dhankuta Town Project

Prepared by Department of Water Supply and Sewerage, Ministry of Urban Development for the Asian Development Bank.

CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 31 January 2014)

Currency unit – nepali rupees (NPR) NPR1.00 = $0.0099 $1.00 = NPR100.501

ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank amsl – above mean sea level CMA – Community Medical Auxiliary DI – ductile iron Dia. – diameter DSC – Design and Supervision Consultant DWSS – Department of Water supply and Sewerage EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment EMP – Environmental Management Plan EPA – Environment Protection Act EPR – Environment Protection Rule GI – galvanized iron GoN – Government of Nepal HDPE – high density polyethylene pipe HHs – households IEE – Initial Environmental Examination lpcd – liter per capita per day lps – liters per second MOUD – Ministry of Urban Development NDWQS – National Drinking Water Quality Standard NEA – Nepal Electricity Authority NGO – Non Government Organization Nrs. – Nepali Rupees O&M – operation & maintenance OD – outer diameter PMC – Project Management Consultant PMO – Project Management Office TDF – Town Development Fund VAT – Value Added Tax VDC – Village Development Committee WHO – World Health Organization WSSDO – Water Supply and Sanitation Division Office WUSC – Water User’s and Sanitation Committee

NOTES

(i) The fiscal year (FY) of the Government of Nepal and its agencies ends on 15 July. “FY” before a calendar year denotes the year in which the fiscal year ends, e.g., FY2011 ends on 15 July 2011.

(ii) In this report, "$" refers to US dollars unless otherwise stated.

This initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section of this website.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Government of Nepal Ministry of Urban Development Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Second Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project Project Management Office Panipokhari, Kathmandu

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project Dhankuta - Koshi Zone

(Batch II, Package IV)

Submitted To:

Ministry of Urban Development Government of Nepal Singhdurbar, Kathmandu

January - 2014

Submission Information Sheet

Name of Project Second Small Town Water supply and Sanitation Sector Project Batch/ Package Batch II, Package IV Town Project Dhankuta

Project Executing Agency Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD)

Project Management Office (PMO), Project Implementation Second Small Town Water supply and Sanitation Sector Project Agency Department of Water Supply and Sewerage, Panipokhari, Kathmandu Financing Agency Asian Development Bank , [ Grant 0157: SSTWSSSP ]

Project Commencement 15 Jan 2012 Date Building Design Authority ( BDA) – Plush Engineering & Consultant Engineer Architects ( PEA) – (JV) Team Leader Er. Dhruba Raj Sharma

Submission Information Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Name of the report of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project No. of Volumes 1 Version No. 2 Date of Submission Jan 2014 Copies produced 15

Report written by 1.Dr. Subodh Sharma -Environmental safeguard Specialist 2.Mr.Indra Kumar Paudyal - Sr. Engineer, BDA -PEA JV

Report reviewed and Mr. Dhruba Raj Sharma – Team Leader, BDA-PEA JV checked by

Initial Environment Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS …………………………….…………………………………………………………….….iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Nepali)………………………………………………………...... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (English)…………………………………………………………………………...3

A. INTRODUCTION ...... 5

1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTION PREPARING THE REPORT ...... 5 a. Name of the Proposal ...... 5 b. Name and Address of the Proponent ...... 5 2. BASIS AND EXTENT OF IEE STUDY ...... 5 a. ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement, 2009 ...... 6 b. National Laws, Policies, Acts, Regulations, Standards and Guidelines ...... 7 c. Objectives and Scope of the Environmental Study ...... 10 d. Relevancy of the Project ...... 11 e. Approach and Methodology ...... 13 B. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ...... 15

1. EXISTING WATER SUPPLY, SANITATION AND DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 15 a. Water Supply ...... 15 b. Existing Sanitation Situation ...... 20 2. TYPE, CATEGORY AND NEED OF THE SUBPROJECT ...... 20 3. SIZE AND MAGNITUDE OF OPERATION ...... 21 4. PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF IMPLEMENTATION ...... 21 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBPROJECTS ...... 22 a. Project Components ...... 24 b. Project Requirements ...... 33 C. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ...... 37

1. PHYSICAL RESOURCES ...... 37 a. Geophysical Profile ...... 37 2. ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...... 40 a. Forest ...... 40 b. Flora ...... 40 c. Fauna ...... 40 3. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ...... 41 a. Population and Communities ...... 41 b. Ethnic Composition ...... 41 c. Health Facilities and Sanitation ...... 42 d. Educational Facilities ...... 42 e. Physical and Cultural Heritage ...... 42 f. Employment ...... 42 g. Distribution of Monthly Income Levels ...... 43 4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPECTS FOR GROWTH ...... 43 a. Land Use ...... 43 b. Infrastructural Facilities...... 44 c. Economic Development ...... 44 D. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 45

1. BENEFICIAL IMPACTS AND AUGMENTATION MEASURES ...... 45 a. Construction Phase ...... 45 b. Operation and Maintenance Phase ...... 45 2. ADVERSE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 46 a. Pre-construction Phase ...... 46 b. Construction Phase ...... 46 c. Operation & Maintenance Phase ...... 50 d. Resettlement, relocation and compensation issue ...... 50 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 55

i Initial Environment Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

a. Project Design ...... 55 b. Project Contract ...... 55 c. Bill of Quantities ...... 55 E. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES WITH AND WITHOUT PROJECT ...... 56

1. ALTERNATIVE IN DESIGN ...... 56 2. ALTERNATIVE IN PROJECT SITE/LOCATION ...... 56 3. ALTERNATIVE IN TECHNOLOGY, IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE AND RAW MATERIALS ...... 56 4. NO PROJECT OPTION ...... 57 F.INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION ...... 58

1. PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... 58 2. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE ...... 58 G. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ...... 59 H. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 61

1. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN AND OBJECTIVE ...... 61 2. MONITORING AND MITIGATION ...... 61 3. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING COST ...... 65 4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEDURES AND INSTITUTIONS ...... 66 5. REPORTING PROCEDURE ...... 67 6. PROCUREMENT PLAN AND COST ESTIMATES ...... 68 7. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE ...... 68 I. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 70

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1: Respondents representing different wards in project area……………………..………………. 16 Figure 1.2: Different water sources used in project area…………………………………………………… 17 Figure 1.3: Daily Water Requirements in Project Area………………………….………………………… 17 Figure 1.4: Water Supplied interval in Project Area………………………………….…………………… 17 Figure 1.5: Water Supplied Timings in Project Area……………………………………………….……… 18 Figure 1.6: Adequacy of Supplied Water In Project Area………………………………….……………… 18 Figure 1.7: Availability of Water in Project Area…………………………………………….…………… 18 Figure 1.8: Water Scare Months in Project Area…………………………………………………………… 19 Figure 1.9: Consumers’ Paying Water Tariff in Project Area……………………….……………………… 19 Figure 1.10: Satisfaction Level of Respondents to the Service provided by the Municipality…………… 19 Figure 1.11: Existing Sanitary Situations……………………….. …………………………………….… 20 Figure 1.12: Schematic Layout of Project Component……………………………………………….……… 22 Figure 1.13: Nibuwa Stream Pumping Scheme ……………………..………………………………………. 27 Figure 1.14: Pipe Line System Design Layout ……………………………………. 33 Figure 2.1: Location of Dhankuta in Nepal ……………………..…………………………………………. 37 Figure 2.2: Seasonal and Source Wise Variation of Heavy Metals……………………..…………………. 38 Figure 2.3: Seasonal and Source Wise Variation of Coliforms……………………………..……………… 39 Figure 2.4: Consumers’ Response on Odour as Quality of Water in Project Area …………………..……… 39 Figure 2.5: Methods in Practice to Ensure Safe Drinking Water in Project Area ……………………………. 40 Figure 2.6: Number of Patients Suffering from Waterborne Diseases in Project Area ……………………….42 Figure 3: Grievance Redress Mechanism……….………………..…………………………………………. 61 Figure 4: Implementation Schedule of Project ……………………..……………….………………………... 70

Initial Environment Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Criteria for Requirement of IEE and/or EIA for Drinking Water Supply .……………… 12 Table 2: Salient Features of Dhankuta Town Project ……………………………. .……………… 23 Table 3: Safe Yield of sources …………………………………………………….…………… 25 Table 4: Required Reservoirs.. …………………………………………………….……………… 29 Table 5: Power Rating of Pumps ………………………………………………….…………… 29 Table 6: Materials Required ….. ………………………………………………….……………… 34 Table 7: Human Resources ….. ………………………………………………….……………… 35 Table 8: Project Activities ….. ………………………………………………….……………….. 36 Table 9: Community Forests in Project Area…………………………………….……………….. 40 Table 10: Households and Population Structure ..………………………..…….……………….. … 41 Table 11: Distribution of Population by Caste / Ethnic Groups ……. ……….……………….. … 41 Table 12: Distribution of population by Occupation ………… ……. ……….……………….. … 43 Table 13: Distribution of Nos. of HHs by Monthly Income Levels ……….……………….. … 43 Table 14: Biological Environmental Issues and Impacts …… ……. ……….……………….. 49 Table 15: Evaluation of Anticipated Environmental Impacts ……. ……….……………….. …… 52 Table 16: Overview of Environmental Impacts and Augmentation / Mitigation Measures ….. … 53 Table 17: Water Supply : Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures- Pre construction Environmental Monitoring Plan ……. ……….……………….. …… 64 Table 18: Water Supply : Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures- construction Period Environmental Monitoring Plan ……. ……….……………….. ……….….. 65 Table 19: Water Supply : Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures- Operation & Maintenance Period Environmental Monitoring Plan .……………….. ………. 66 Table 20: Monitoring Costs ……. ……….………………………………………………….. … 67 Table 21: Institutions Involved in the Proposed Project…………………………………………… 68

ANNEXES Annex 1: Terms of Reference Annex 2: Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Annex 3: Public Notice Annex 4: Deed of Enquiry Annex 5: Water quality test report Annex 6: Sample Questionnaire Annex 7: Minutes of the meeting Annex 8: Photographs

iii

Initial Environment Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

ACRONYMS

ADB Asian Development Bank amsl above mean sea level DDC District Development Committee DSC Design and Supervision Consultant DWSS Department of Water Supply and Sewerage EIA Environnemental Impact Assessment EMP Environnemental Management Plan EMAP Environmental Management Action Plan EPA Environmental Protection Act EPR Environmental Protection Rules GoN Government of Nepal GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism HH Household lpcd litres per capita per day LGCDP Local Governance Community Development Project IEE Initial Environmental Examination MPPW Ministry of Physical Planning and Works mm millimetre MoUD Ministry of Urban Development NEA Nepal Electricity Authority NDWQS National Drinking Water Quality Standard NWSC Nepal Water Supply Corporation PMO Project Management Office REA Rapid Environmental Assessment RP Resettlement Plan RSMO Regional Supervision & Monitoring Office SSTWSSSP Second Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project TDF Town Development Fund WUSC Water User and Sanitation Committee VDC Village Development Committee ES Environmental Specialist of DSC

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

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Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

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Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background

The Project Management Office (PMO) of the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) is the proponent of the current project. The sub-project is a part of the second phase of the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (SSTWSSSP) of the Government of Nepal which aims to construct/extend drinking water supply systems, drainage and sanitation facilities as well as provide sanitary health education to the community in the small urban towns of the country. The project embraces the community managed demand responsive approach and is being implemented under ADB finance. The proposed project will facilitate wards 2 to 7 of Dhankuta Municipality, Dhankuta of the Koshi Zone.

Purpose of IEE, ADB policy, GoN acts and rules

The purpose of this Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is to examine the environmental implication of the proposed project and its activities to ensure that it will not damage the environment and to provide measures to mitigate the adverse impacts.

Both the Nepali law and ADB policy require that the environmental implications of individual developments are taken into account in the planning and decision making process.

The statutory requirement of the Government of Nepal, that has to be adhered to for the proposed project, is the Environmental Protection Act, 1996 and Environmental Protection Regulation, 1997 (and amendments 2007). The present IEE study fulfils the requirements pertaining to Rule 3, Annex G of Schedule 1 of EPR, 1997 (including amendments). Similarly, as per ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009, the project is classified Environment Category B and IEE is required as per the checklist suggested by ADB.

Components of the project

The proposed Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project will use surface sources of water by augmenting presently operating gravity systems and pumping water from Nibuwa stream. Additional water will be transported from Tankhuwa stream to collection chamber near Nibuwa stream, considering the scarcity of water in the dry season. The project comprises of two major components - water supply and sanitation. The system also consists of water treatment facilities, ground reservoirs from where water will be distributed through distribution pipe lines. The second component is sanitation services. Source protection works, re-vegetation works and sludge drying bed etc will be provided under the sanitation component.

Baseline information

Part of the project area, mainly the market area has piped water supply system. The existing water supply system delivers water to 50% of the households through 1650 private taps and 48 community taps. Water is distributed for one hour in alternate days. Other households of the community rely on streams. Manual well boring in the project area is not possible due to the hard geological strata. Majority of households thus depend on contaminated water. All the schools and about 93 % of the households in the project area have latrines.

Dhankuta is a heterogeneous town in terms of composition of caste and ethnicity. Average monthly income is quite above the national average. Majority of the people depend on agriculture, service, business

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

and foreign jobs for their source of income. The project area is surrounded by forests including five community forests.

Environmental impacts, mitigation and monitoring

No significant adverse environmental impacts have been predicted and the anticipated negative impacts are of local in nature and low in magnitude. The main environmental concern for water supply system is related to construction activities such as constructing surface intakes, water treatment units, reservoirs and distribution network. Excavation works could lead to soil erosion and silt run off. The mitigation measures are precautionary types such as proper back filling & compaction of the excavated trenches and avoiding cutting of vegetation.

Regarding the sanitation component the main issues are nuisance odour from sludge drying bed and possibility of mosquito breeding which are likely to occur during the operational phase. This can be mitigated by applying lime and periodically cleaning and flushing. The locations of major structures have been acquired in consultation with the user committee and no households or community will be displaced or resettled. Therefore there are very few possibilities of adverse impacts on the biological and socio- economic environment in the project area.

Monitoring is necessary to check the implementation of mitigation measures and a detailed monitoring schedule has been designed specifying the regular and periodic monitoring activities during the project construction and operation phase. Before the operation of the project, PMO will develop detailed work plan for implementing mitigation measures and monitoring plans based on the Environmental Management Plan which will be incorporated in the construction and operation contracts.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Considering the nature of the project, environmental and socio-economic situation of the area, and based on the detailed field survey and consultation with the relevant stakeholders, it can be concluded that the proposed project will have only minor negative impacts. The impacts are mostly local in nature and can be easily and cheaply mitigated with suitable mitigation measures and regular monitoring schedules. Implementation of the project will benefit the local people with safe and sufficient supply of drinking water and improved sanitary situation thereby raising the living standard of the people. If the project is properly implemented and environmental issues are duly considered there will be significant improvement in environment health and the health of the people.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Name and Address of the Individual Institution Preparing the Report

a. Name of the Proposal

01. The name of the proposal is ‘Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project’ in Dhankuta District.

b. Name and Address of the Proponent

02. The project proponent is Second Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (SSTWSSSP) under Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS) which will be the responsible agency for the implementation of the proposal. The name and address of the proponent is given below. Name of the Proponent:

Project Management Office Second Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Ministry of Urban Development Government of Nepal

Address of the Proponent:

Panipokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone: 977 1 4423848, 977 1 4412348 Fax: 977 1 4413280 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sstwsssp.gov.np

2. Basis and Extent of IEE Study

03. Government of Nepal has prepared a fifteen years development plan to implement the water supply and sanitation programmes in emerging towns or small towns in order to improve the health and the quality of life of the people living in the project towns by constructing and extending water supply system, drainage and sanitation facilities and providing health and hygiene education programmes. The project follow the community managed demand responsive approach where the community will be involved from planning phase to construction, implementation and operation and maintenance phases. The project, ‘Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project, STWSSSP’ is the outcome of that effort. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been providing the financial assistance to implement the project in both the phases (first and second). Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS) is the implementing agency whereas Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) is the executive agency of the project.

04. Both the Nepali law and ADB policy require that the environmental implications of individual developments are taken into account in the planning and decision making process and that action is taken to reduce the impacts to acceptable levels. This is carried out through environmental assessment process, which has become an integral part of lending operations and project development and implementation worldwide.

05. The purpose of this Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is to examine the proposed infrastructure components and ensure that they will not damage the environment. The IEE will also provide guidance for their planning, construction and operations of the Project. In the assessment,

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

potential environmental impacts are identified; their significance assessed; and strategies devised to avoid negative impacts or reduce them to an acceptable level.

06. These strategies (called “mitigation measures”) are then carried forward into the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The EMP assigns responsibilities; indicates timescales; and measures performance for each mitigation measure – to make sure that they are implemented and not ignored. An environmental monitoring plan is also added to help provide progress on project implementation. This nominates protocols and responsibilities for checking the operation of the project, to a range of relevant and agreed performance indicators.

a. ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement, 2009

07. ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 is to consider environmental issues in all aspects of the Bank’s operations. ADB requires environmental assessment of all project loans, program loans, sector loans, sector development program loans, financial intermediation loans and private sector investment operations.

08. The nature of the assessment required for a project depends on the significance of its environmental impacts, which are related to the type and location of the project, the sensitivity, scale, nature and magnitude of its potential impacts, and the availability of cost-effective mitigation measures. Projects are screened for their expected environmental impacts and are assigned to one of the following categories:

Category A: A proposed project is classified as category A if it is likely to have significant adverse environment impacts that are irreversible, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area larger than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required.

Category B: A proposed project is classified as category B if its potential adverse environmental impacts are less adverse than those of category A projects. These impacts are site-specific, few if any of them are irreversible, and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed more readily than for category A projects. An initial environmental examination is required.

Category C: A proposed project is classified as category C if it is likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. No environmental assessment is required although environmental implications need to be reviewed.

Category FI: A proposed project is classified as category FI if it involves investment of ADB funds to or through FI (Financial Intermediaries).

09. The Bank has classified this sub project as of Category B and following normal procedures for project loans and accordingly an IEE has been conducted.

10. The subprojects comprise of water supply and sanitation improvement works. An initial Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) (Annex 2) was undertaken and the Project classified by ADB as Category B and following normal procedures for project loans, an IEE was conducted.

11. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) affirms that environmental and social sustainability is a cornerstone of economic growth and poverty reduction in Asia and the Pacific region. Therefore, ADB’s Strategy 2020 emphasizes assisting developing member countries (DMCs) as they pursue environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. In addition, ADB is committed to ensuring the social and environmental sustainability of the projects it supports. The goal of the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 is to promote the sustainability of project outcomes by

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

protecting the environment and people from potential adverse impacts of projects. ADB addresses the following objectives in its safeguard policy:

• To avoid adverse impacts of projects on the environment and affected people, where possible; • To minimize, mitigate, and/or compensate for adverse project impacts on the environment and affected people when avoidance is impossible; and • To help borrowers/clients to strengthen their safeguard systems and develop the capacity to manage environmental and social risks.

12. ADB’s SPS sets out the policy objectives, scope and triggers, and principles for three key safeguard areas: • Environmental safeguards, • Involuntary resettlement safeguards, and • Indigenous Peoples safeguards.

13. A project’s environment category is determined by the category of its most environmentally sensitive component, including direct, indirect, induced, and cumulative impacts. Each proposed project is scrutinized as to its type, location, scale, sensitivity and the magnitude of its potential environmental impacts. The level of detail and comprehensiveness of the EIA or IEE are commensurate with the significance of the potential impacts and risks.

b. National Laws, Policies, Acts, Regulations, Standards and Guidelines

i. Policy Measures 14. The current policies of government of Nepal (GoN) stress the importance of environmentally sound economic development and growth through economic liberalization. The proposed Water Supply Project is in line with these policy measures to the extent possible. Some of these policies relevant to the proposed project are described below.

• Second Three Year Interim Plan, 2068-2071 BS (2011-2015 AD) 15. The interim plan provides the most recent guidance on urban sector priorities highlighting, in particular, the need to address the effects of rapid urbanization on service levels, water quality and scheme maintenance. It proposes the full integration of sewerage, on-site sanitation and solid waste management in all urban schemes and specially endorses cost recovery from consumers. Local authorities are responsible for overseeing project implementation but with private sector organizations playing increasing roles.

• Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2063 BS (2007 AD) 16. The interim constitution of Nepal realized environmental protection as the policy of the state. Clause (4) of Article (35) of the constitution states that ‘The State shall, while mobilizing the natural resources and heritage of the country that might be useful and beneficial to the interest of the nation, pursue a policy of giving priority to the local community’. The Clause (5) states that ‘The State shall make necessary arrangements to maintain the natural environment. The State shall give priority to special protection of the environment, and rare wildlife, and prevent further damage due to physical development activities, by increasing awareness of the general public about environmental cleanliness. Provision shall be made for the protection of the forest, vegetation and biodiversity, their sustainable use and for equitable distribution of the benefits derived from them’.

• National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Policy, 2066 BS (2009 AD) 17. It was formulated to provide the overall policy support and guidance towards achieving equity in service delivery by ensuring that the financially marginalized households within the system areas are

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

mainstreamed as valid customers of service through design and implementation of financial incentives where so required. It aims to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of central and local government bodies, external development partners, private sector including NGOs and user groups are clearly defined in scheme implementation and regulation and performance management in accordance with national decentralization policy

• National Policy on Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, 2004 18. Provides guidance on water and sanitation service provision in rural areas using community led participatory approaches. While partially relevant in the urban context, particularly around the integration of inputs and local capacity building, it generally fails to address the complex operational challenges to be faced by Municipal authorities in implementing and managing urban services.

ii. Acts and Regulations

• Child Labor Prohibition and Regulation Act, 2001 19. The section 3 of the act prohibits a child from engaging in work, sub clause 1 of the clause 3 states “Nobody shall engage a child in a work as a labour, who has not completed fourteen years of age” and sub clause 2 states “Nobody shall engage a child in a risk full occupation or work set forth in the Schedule”. The section 4 states “Child not to be engaged in work against his will by temptation or fear or pressure or by any other means”

• Local Self Governance Act, 1999 & Local Self Governance Regulations, 2000 20. The Act empowers the local bodies for the conservation of soil, forest and other natural resources and implements environmental conservation activities. It also describes about the user group formation to implement the programs in the local areas. The Regulation has provisions for Village Development Committee (VDC), District Development Committee (DDCs) and municipality to coordinate and implement development projects/programs and to provide approval or clearance of the proposed project.

• Water Resources Act, 1992 & Water Resources Regulation, 2000 21. Water Resource Act is an umbrella act governing water resource management. It declares the order of priority of water use; vests ownership of water in the state; prohibits water pollution; and provides for the formation of Water User Association and system of licensing. The Regulation sets out the procedure to register a WUA and to obtain a license and sets out the rights and obligations of WUA and license holders.

• Environmental Protection Act (EPA), 1997 & Environmental Protection Regulations (EPA), 1999 (and amendments) 22. EPA and EPR have several provisions to institutionalize environmental consideration in development projects. Section (5) of EPA stipulates that ‘a proponent who is desirous of implementing any proposal shall have to submit such a proposal, accompanied by the report on Initial Environmental Examination or Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposal, to the concerned agency for the approval of such a proposal. The EPR elaborates provisions to prepare and submit the scoping report, Terms of Reference (TOR), and IEE/EIA report for approval and includes public consultation processes. As per the EPR, the Environmental Assessment report, in general, should include detail information on impacts and environmental protection measures, including implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation and environmental auditing. Public consultation is a pre-requisite in all the prescribed projects.

• Drinking Water Regulations, 1998 23. Regulates the use of drinking water and deals with the control of water pollution and maintenance of quality standards for drinking water. It also sets out the conditions of service utilization by consumers.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

• Forest Act, 1993 & Forest Regulations, 1995 (including amendments) 24. Since forest has an important role in managing water resources, Forest Act has many provisions effecting the integrated water resources management of the country. The basic objective is developing and conserving the forests of the country. The government can provide parts of any type of forest for the implementation of national priority plan with the assurance that it does not adversely affect the environment. The Regulation further elaborate legal measures for the conservation of forests and wild animals.

• Labor Act, 1992 25. The Act emphasizes on occupational health and safety of workers and stipulates provision of necessary safety gears and adopting necessary precautionary measures against potentially hazardous machine/equipment in the workplace. It also stipulates to make arrangements such as removal of waste accumulated during production process and prevention of dust, fume, vapour and other waste materials, which adversely affect the health of workers

• Nepal Water Supply Corporation Act, 1989 (and amendments) & Water Supply Management Board Act, 2006 & Water Supply Tariff Fixation Commission Act, 2006 26. These acts facilitate the improved management of water and sanitation services. They establish the legal basis for private sector management of schemes and independent fee setting and regulation applicable to all urban schemes.

• Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilization Act, 1987 & Solid Waste (Management and Resource Mobilization Rules), 1990 27. As solid waste has direct impact on water supply system, discharge of solid waste in either public or private places have been prohibited under this Act. The rules entrusts Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilization Centre, established under the Act, to provide necessary service to individual or institution in managing solid waste. As such any water resource projects may obtain such service and maintain the water resource clean.

• Town Development Act, 1988 28. The Act has provisions about the formation of town development committee in any town area to implement town planning and in carrying out the developmental and reconstruction work of that town.

• Land Acquisition Act, (2034 BS) 1977 & Land Acquisition Rules, 1969 29. These are two main legal instruments that specify procedural matters of land acquisition and compensation. Under these, the Government is allowed to acquire any private land paying reasonable compensation to the affected party for any public purposes or for operation of any development project initiated by government institutions and the water resources laying and originating within such acquired area is spontaneously acquired under this process.

• Water Tax Act, 1966 30. Under the Act, the water user who use water through a tap distributed by the government is obliged to pay water tax as fixed by prevalent laws and charges are levied if the tax is not paid within the time as fixed by the law.

iii. Standards and guidelines

• National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) and Directives, 2005 31. Provides details of the water quality standards to be applied to all water supply schemes. These set out the water quality parameters, which the water suppliers should adhere to. The directives also

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

ensures that the water sampling, testing and analysis procedures used to certify that the drinking water supplied or to be supplied conforms to the NDWQS and also sets the monitoring and surveillance procedures to certify that the quality of supplied water conforms to the standards.

• Water Resource Strategy, 2002 32. Provides a systematic framework for water resource development and identifies action plans to avoid and resolve conflicts and achieve water related development objectives. It has identified the need to integrate and coordinate all the uses of natural resources within the catchment basis and has laid emphasis on the development and management of water resources in a holistic, systematic manner, relying on integrated water resources management.

• National EIA Guidelines, 2050 BS (1993 AD) 33. In the process of implementing National Conservation Strategy (NCS) in 1990, the government of Nepal in collaboration with The World Conservation Union - IUCN developed a locally suitable environmental assessment guideline. Although National EIA guidelines are procedural guidelines, it substantially encouraged the proponent to prepare an EIA report of the prescribed development projects and programmes and serves as the primary source of integrating environmental aspects in major development projects. The National EIA Guidelines contains objectives, methods of screening projects requiring the level of environmental assessment (IEE or EIA), scoping, impact identification and prediction, report review, monitoring and evaluation and impact auditing ensuring public participation during the preparation of the IEE/ EIA report.

c. Objectives and Scope of the Environmental Study

34. IEE is a tool for incorporating environmental concerns at the project level and is carried out as a part of the detailed study. The objectives are:

• provide information about the general environmental settings of the project area as baseline data • provide information on potential impacts of the project and the characteristic of the impacts, magnitude, distribution, affected groups and duration • provide information on potential mitigation measures to minimise the impact including mitigation costs • assess the best alternative project with most benefits and least costs in terms of financial, social and environmental aspects • provide basic information for formulating management and monitoring plans

35. The present IEE has been conducted for the water supply and sanitation subproject proposed for Dhakuta Town Project of Dhankuta Municipality, Dhankuta District. It discusses the environmental impacts and mitigation measures relating to the location, design, construction and operation and management of the scheme.

36. The scope of the study is to study and prepare IEE report as per the format indicated by EPR 2053 BS (1997AD) together with the instructions provided by the project management office. The task during the preparation of this report included description of the project with reference to the physical, biological and social environment, and identification of potential impacts, mitigation measures and monitoring plan and related topics. However, the study does not limit itself only here, but has strived to completeness and objectiveness. As the proposed sub-project is classified as environment Category B project as per the ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009, an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) has to be carried out.

37. However, after the enforcement of GoN's Environmental Protection Acts 1996 and Environmental Protection Regulation (EPR) 1997 (including amendments 1999), all projects under consideration are required to fulfil either IEE or EIA applications. The screening criterion for the application of IEE or

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

EIA is clearly mentioned in the schedule 1 and schedule 2 of EPR. The points of the schedules determine whether the project should undergo IEE or EIA.

38. The structural components of Sub- Project including the sources (surface sources e.g. Tankhuwa stream, Nibuwa Stream, Charchhare, Aitabare etc ) and reservoirs will be located at the land procured by the WUSC. Transmission mains and distribution network of the proposed project passes along the forest area and existing road tracks. As a whole, the project does not fall in any restricted areas, places of cultural, historical and archaeologically important/monuments, conservation areas, wildlife, National Parks, and other places where the law of the land prohibits any construction activities. Also the scale of human settlement or human lives affected because of project activities is quite insignificant.

39. In this way, all the criteria lie within the range of schedule 1 of EPR. As per the ADB's Environmental Assessment Requirements and Environmental Guidelines for selected infrastructure Development Projects and GoN's Environmental Protection Regulation, 1997, Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is sufficient for the proposed project.

40. The current studies have been conducted as per the TOR approved by MoUD on dated 2070/2/19 BS (June 2, 2013 AD). The environmental issues identified by the TOR have been looked into in detail by this study and EMP and has been designed to address these issues.

41. The impacts of providing infrastructure in the areas have been assessed and the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Reports and Environmental Monitoring Plans produced. Studies were conducted according to ADBs Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 and GoNs Environmental Protection Rules (1997) and amendments.

d. Relevancy of the Project

42. As per the TOR, it is stated that the project needs to be studied from the environmental point of view as per EPA 1997 and EPR 1997 (Amendments 1999 and 2007). The proposed water supply and sanitation project is an extension and rehabilitation of the existing district water supply and sanitation system which is meant primarily for the market area but has also been supplying a part of the proposed service area. It is expected that on implementation of the project the users of the area will be able to avail adequate amount of safe drinking water. The project needs to go through IEE process as stipulated in EPR 1997(Amendments 1999 and 2007). The proposed project shall be using surface water. The treatment capacity of the proposed units are 24.46 lps ie, less than 25 lps. The Project does not involve construction of any tunnels; relocation of people or households, there is no need to settle any households above the gravity source, and construction of river training works (more than 1 km) is not required. The project shall benefit more than ten thousand persons in the area with higher and better water services.

43. As the proposed project falls within the definitions provided in the EPR 1997(Amendments 1999 and 2007) Annex 1 (G) for drinking water projects; only an IEE is required. The regulation stated in Annex 1 (H) shall only be applicable, if the proposal does not fall under categories (A) through (H) of Annex 3.

44. Table 1 compares the status of the project point by point against the conditions defined by Environment Protection Act 1997 and Environment Protection Regulation 1997 (and its amendments 2007) for which a drinking water would require IEE or EIA.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 1: Criteria for Requirement of IEE and/or EIA for Drinking Water Supply Projects as per Annex 1 and Schedule 1-G and Annex 3 Schedule 1-H of EPR, 1997 Amendment 2007 Compared with the Situation of the Project

IEE Required as EIA Required as Condition described in S.N per the Regulation per the Regulation Conditions in this Project the Act and Regulations Annex 1 G Annex 3 H 1 River Control (training) Up to 1 kilometer Over 1 kilometer NA Channeling Water from Applicable Applicable NA 2 one Watershed to Another Rain Water Collection Up to 200 hectares More than 200 NA 3 and Use of Spewing hectares Wetland Supply of Water in Dry Up to 1 cusec and More than 1 cusec (1 cusec = 28.34 lps) Season from Surface utilizing up to 50 % and utilizing the Total required supply is 4 Water Source with a safe of the available total available 24.86 lps from different yield of quantity quantity surface sources Ground Water Recharge Up to 50 % of total More than 50 % of NA 5 aquifer aquifer 6 Water Treatment 10- 25 litre per sec Within limit (25 lps) 7 Construction of Tunnel Not more than one more than one Tunnel construction not for Channeling Drinking kilometer kilometer required ( NA) Water 8 Water Resource 25 to 100 people Over 100 people Not done Development which Displaces People (Permanent Residents) 9 Settlement of People Settlement of up to Settlement of Not done Upstream of Water 500 people above 500 people Source 10 Supply of water to a 2,000 to 20,000 Over 20,000 Within 20,000 population of (Present Population 15,139) 11 Connection of New 10, 000 - 100, 000 More than Population within the given Source to Supply Water 100, 000 envelope to existing water supply [Present Population 15,139 system for a population of Design year (2030) population 22,475] 12 Extraction of water from NA Applicable No non-point and point point and non-point sources of pollution in the sources or underground vicinity of the water source water sources (over mining of biologically or Chemically polluted point and non point sources) 13 Operation of water supply Not operated Operated This is not a multipurpose project included in a project and is solely for multipurpose project water supply utilizing a source of 25 liter per sec water. (Construction of Multiple Purpose Reservoir Required)

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

e. Approach and Methodology

45. The present Initial Environmental Examination report has been prepared based on the Terms of Reference (TOR) approved by the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of Nepal dated on 2070/2/19 BS (June 2, 2013 AD).The study has followed the provisions outlined in the Environmental Protection Act, 1996 and Environmental Protection Regulation, 1997 and Safeguard Policy Statement, 2009 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The major activities undertaken during the preparation of IEE are outlined below.

i. Desk Study

46. Existing secondary data relevant to the proposed project was collected from various published and unpublished sources from different governmental and non-governmental organizations. All the related maps, aerial photographs, newspaper articles were gathered and studied. The engineering report of the project and other relevant documents were thoroughly reviewed. Policies, legislations and guidelines relevant to the project were also referred.

47. The desk study also involved the preparation of questionnaire (see annex) for detailed field study to collect the primary data within the Zone of Influence (ZOI). In order to specify the area that would be covered by the assessment, the geographical boundary of the influence area was delineated on the topographical map. Depending upon the nature and extent of the expected impact area, the Zone of Influence (ZOI) was categorized into Direct Impact Zone (DIZ) and Indirect Impact Zone (IIZ).

• Direct Impact Zone (DIZ) 48. The project directly affected by the project activities are demarcated as Direct Impact Zone. DIZ can also be said to be the project area. The area bounded by Hile Bazaar in the North , Dadagaon in the West , Nibuwa / Tankhuwa streams in the East and areas connecting Tallo Atmara and Nasal Chowk in the West were delineated as Direct Impact Zone. Koshi Highway passes through the DIZ.

• Indirect Impact Zone (IIZ) 49. The area around the DIZ that could be indirectly affected due to project construction and implementation activities such as mobility of people, equipment, vehicles, noise, dust, vibration are demarcated as the Indirect Impact Zone.

ii. Field Work

50. Water sampling was carried out in dry and wet seasons of 2012/2013. Random sampling method was used so that overall study area was covered. Grab sampling method was used for collection of samples. A total of forty samples were collected representing Dhankuta Municipality Water Supply including ward 2 to 7. A detailed field investigation was carried out during February, 2013 to collect baseline information on the physical, socio-economic and cultural environment of the project area. The local communities were consulted to understand the social and physical nature of the area. A walkover survey was carried out to identify the environmental structures and to gather relevant baseline information on physical, biological and socio- economic spheres. A questionnaire survey covering 10% of the households were conducted to examine the socio-economic condition of the service area. In addition to it a questionnaire survey was carried out to examine public awareness about drinking water quality of Dhankuta municipality. Data related to number of patients suffering from water borne diseases from 2068 B.S. to 2070 B.S. was collected from Dhankuta Hospital.

• Physical Assessment 51. Existing physical attributes of the project area were studied through topographical map and site observation, complemented by secondary source of information from reports and interviews. Information on the location, topography, land use, geology, and soil hydrology were collected during

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

field work through reports obtained from different institutions eg, Dhankuta Municipality, Department of Survey etc

• Biological Assessment 52. The ecological attributes of the area was gathered during the field survey. Information on vegetation pattern, wildlife, parks and reserves, sensitive habitats were collected. Identification of wild flora and fauna, rare and endangered species were done during field observation and by questionnaire survey. The scientific names of the flora and fauna were later recorded referring to the secondary sources of data books.

• Socio-economic Assessment 53. Socio-economic and cultural environment of the project such as population, community structure, distribution of income and sources of livelihood, and expected water users obtained through various secondary and primary sources of data. These included literature review, questionnaire survey, focus group discussion, and the suggestions and comments obtained from all relevant stakeholders though public notice and consultation process.

iii. Data processing

54. The information obtained from the desk study and field works were processed in a standard format to maintain consistency. The data were tabulated and maps were interpreted. The mitigation and monitoring measures were then proposed based on the impacts identified during the study.

iv. Consultation and Information Dissemination

55. Public consultation and information dissemination process has been necessary to inform the local people and concerned agencies about the project and to obtain their concern, issues and suggestions. The methods adopted for conducting public consultation included holding meetings with district officials, concerned departments, institutions and NGOs. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and meetings were also held with the stakeholders within the Zone of Influence (ZOI).

56. Similarly the information about the project was disseminated through publication in national newspaper giving details about the project and by inviting any comments and concerns. A copy of the publication was also displayed in the Municipality office, health institutions and other public area in the project. The final IEE report, after incorporating the comments from concerned department and ADB, will be made available in their respective websites and will be made available to anyone interested upon request.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

B. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

1. Existing Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Infrastructure

a. Water Supply 57. A system of 7 public stand posts of water supply was built during the Rana regime (before 1930) The intake of this system known as Sawa khola has the discharge of 0.5 lps located at foothills of Hile bazaar. Later in 1980, DWSS upgraded the system with 115 taps by collecting water from the sources Trisule, Mudhe, Thulo khola, Sarki khola and Raniban. The intakes: Sarki khola and Thulo khola intakes are now under the control of Hile water supply system committee. This was further improved in 1994 with the grant aid from British Gurkha Welfare Fund collecting the additional sources of Aitbare, Chharchhare, Devi Khola and Thodne. The total extraction was 9 lps. This gravity flow system contains a treatment plant with plain sedimentation, roughing filter and reservoir tank constructed at Schooldada whereas slow sand filter, chlorination unit, WUSC office building are near to the army barrack at Sallaghari. The existing Dhankuta Water Supply system was constructed with the cooperation from UK/India /S.Korea/DWSS/WUSC/Users in different periods of time.

58. WUSC took over the scheme in 1997 when the number of taps was 700. Later the Indian Embassy donated HDPE pipe and materials for the construction of another treatment plant at Salleri. The treatment plant has the capacity to treat 9 lps.

59. Two treatment plants with the capacity of 18 lps and 9 lps capacity located at Schooldada (constructed under British Gurkha Welfare Scheme) and Salleri ( Constructed under Indian Embassy Welfare Scheme) are functioning well.

60. Salient features of existing water supply is presented below:

i) Flow : Gravity flow system ii) Intake : 17 nos iii) Transmission length : 41 Km iv) Air valve : 12 nos v) Valve chamber : 7 nos vi) BPT/IC : 8 nos vii) Plain sedimentation : 2 nos/2 x9 lps viii) Roughing filter /capacity : 2 nos/2x9 lps ix) Slow sand filter At Schooldanda 18 lps Salleri 9 lps x) Chlorination unit : 2 nos xi) Distribution Reservoir/capacity : 34 nos/(300)m3 xii) Community reservoir : 7 nos xiii) Community Taps : 48 nos. xiv) Private tap connections : 1650 nos xv) Governments tap connections : 100 nos xvi) Distribution hours : 1-1.5 hours a day xvii) Altitude of water sources : 1650 m to 1400m xviii) Reservoirs altitude : 1390 m ( Schooldanda) and 1250 m ( Salleri)

61. Almost 34 reservoirs / distribution tanks are functioning in the town. Most of them are of masonry structure of smaller capacity ranging from 3 m3 - 8 m3. These are leaking and are in deteriorating conditions. Major reservoir tanks are:

3 • Schooldada : 50 m (RCC) ( in good operating condition)

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

3 • Lahare Choutara ( Salleri) : (20+20+25) m (Masonry structure) 3 • Chuliban ( Dadagoan) : 50 m (Masonry)

62. The present Water Supply and Sanitation situation for most of the project area is not satisfactory. Presently WUSC is serving 1650 private and 48 community taps in the parts of wards numbers 2 to 7. There is a serious shortfall of water supply. Some of the wards e.g. ward no 7 water supply is about 120 liters per house per day (about 24 lpcd). HHs who do not have the facility of piped water supply are facing problems as WUSC has stopped providing new connections since 2004. In order to fulfil their daily need, the household members of this ward are bound to go to their neighbours daily to obtain and often beg for drinking water. They are compelled to go to the spring which takes about one hour down from the settlement for washing and bathing purpose.

63. A set of questionnaire relating to drinking water of Dhankuta municipality were asked to sixty HHs from two to seven wards. Random selection of houses was performed. Those respondents represented different toles of Dhankuta Municipality as Mathilo Kopche, Hatiya, Gokundeshwor, Saraswati, Siraan Bazaar, Hulak Chowk, Sitalpati, Sangam Chowk, Bardang, Bal Mandir, Ghaletar, School Danda, Debrebaas, Adhikari Gaun, Jaalkanya, Kachedi, Aatamara, Sipting, and Nawadeshwor. The questionnaire covered people belonging to different ethnic group with castes such as Rai, Limbu, Magar, Dahal, Shrestha, Pradhan, Joshi, Malla, Bastola, Guragai, Bista, Pariyar, Adhikari, Dhungel, Duwadi, Rasaili, Mishra, Subedi, Thechmi, and Bakhati. The questionnaire was organized so as to get information on respondent representing different wards, family structure, water source, water requirement, water supplied interval, water supplied time, adequacy of supplied water, consumers response on need of water, methods used to ensure safe drinking water, consumers response on odour, water availability, response on water scarce months, water tariff, willingness to pay and consumers satisfaction. There were sixty respondents representing from ward two to seven of Dhankuta Municipality. The analyses of different questions surveyed are given below:

Figure 1.1: Respondents Representing Different Wards in Project Area

64. Households with private water tap connection covered 93% (figure 1.2). Others acquire water from community taps. When there is shortage of water supplied by piped system, people fulfil their water requirement from Kuwa and also there are few tankers which supply water at certain cost. Community tap are for those who cannot afford private tap. It is provided to certain group of people who use and also pay water tariff accordingly. Those who use community taps and Kuwa, walk for a minimum of 30 minutes to fetch water.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Figure 1.2: Different Water Sources Used in Project Area

65. Daily water requirement for 75% of respondents is less than 135 L per capita while about 25% respondents consume more than 135 L per capita to perform all household tasks including their farm (figure 1.3).

Figure 1.3: Daily Water Requirements in Project Area

66. About 38% of the respondents believed that the water is supplied daily, whereas for about 27% water is supplied more than once in a day, and for 35% it is supplied only once in two days. This distribution of water is according to water availability. There seems to be irregularity in water supply (figure 1.4).

Figure 1.4: Water Supplied Interval in Project Area

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

67. Water supplied timings to public taps and community taps is about an hour (figure 1.5). In some places water is supplied for less than an hour. About 42% each respondents receive water for less or equal to an hour, whereas about 16% only receive water for more than an hour.

Figure 1.5: Water Supplied Timings in Project Area

68. About 76% of respondent said water provided is not enough to perform their day to day activities. Only 24% believed that the water supplied is adequate (figure 1.6).

Figure 1.6: Adequacy of Supplied Water in Project Area

69. When people were asked about water availability, 76% of them said water was available all the year round (figure 1.7). Though water was received all the year round; in rainy times, it is believed that the water is not fit for drinking owing to high turbidity.

Figure 1.7: Availability of Water in Project Area

70. There is shortage of water mostly in the months of Falgun, Chaitra, Baisakh and Jestha (February, March, April, and May) (figure 1.8).

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Figure 1.8: Water Scarce Months in Project Area

71. The minimum tariff for using municipal water is Rs. 250 per month. All respondent (100%) pay tariff for using the service. About 63% of respondent pay less than Rs. 300 per month. There are users who pay more than Rs. 500 per month. The households are found willing to pay on an average Rs.207 per month if the households get enough water as per their needs and better services.

Figure 1.9: Consumers’ Paying Water Tariff in Project Area

72. In response to the question about satisfaction with the service provided by municipality, 58 % expressed their dissatisfaction (figure 1.10). They want municipal water supply to provide adequate water with improved quality. Also some of them want the pipeline distribution to be improved.

Figure 1.10: Satisfaction Level of Respondents to the Service Provided by the Municipality

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

b. Existing Sanitary Situations 73. Almost 93% of the households of the service area possess latrines. The main reasons for having latrines are awareness of the people towards the importance of sanitation and personal hygiene. Regarding the types of household latrine, 53% of the households have water seal typed, followed by 23 % of ventilated type 17% pit latrine type and 7% of households do not have toilets.

74. Two public toilets one in buspark area and the other in Bihibare Hat (market place) are serving people. It was learned that about 300 people use the toilets every day. Operation and maintenance is carried out from the money raised from the users.

75. A sanitary land fill site located in Atmara ward # 3 of Municipality has an area of 47 Ropani (24,000 m2) and is expected to cater for 30 years. It was constructed in 2010AD with the cooperation of GoN- LGCDP (Local Governance Community Development Programme), users group and municipality. One tractor is utilized to collect waste from the market. Presently 13 staffs are providing day to day service for managing the solid waste. It is learnt that the waste mainly consists of plastic materials eg, bottles, wrappers, etc. These are segregated and sold to scrap dealers.

Figure 1.11: Existing Sanitary Situations a) Percentage Households with Latrine Types (left), b) Percentage of Households with Solid Wastes Management Types (right)

76. Regarding the knowledge on appropriate site for solid waste (garbage) disposal or management, about 61% reported that they are using pits near the houses. Similarly, about 35% use can / bin managed by the Municipality for waste disposal.

77. There were 1250 cases of community people suffering from water borne diseases last year. No cases of mortality were recorded for children below 5 years of age. Dhankuta District Hospital is in the project area.

78. About 14 km storm water drainage constructed of stone masonry can be observed along highway and in the market area. Rest of the service area does not have surface drainage facilities.

2. Type, Category and Need of the Subproject

79. This proposed project falls in category B of ADB environmental categorization. There is a mixed use of gravity and surface water based pumping system, treatment plants, reservoirs at ground level and pipe network system to provide house connection to the majority of the household and institutions.

80. The service area is a part of Dhankuta Municipality (ward# 2-7) and lies along the Koshi Highway. It is the district and regional headquarter of the Eastern Development Region of the Country.

81. The existing water supply system has been providing drinking water to the community for years. It is observed that the system has outreached its design capacity; only 52% households are covered, and

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

are not able to cover more areas. In some of the wards water is distributed on alternate days for 1 hour.

3. Size and Magnitude of Operation

82. The project is situated in Dhankuta Municipality in Dhankuta district of Koshi zone. The project area is situated along the Koshi Highway. The town project area is located at 260 58’29.27” latitude and 870 20’36.51” longitude, having altitude ranging from 1169m to 1560m above mean sea level and covers ward no 2 to 7 of Dhankuta Municipality.

83. The scheme is designed for the design year population of 22,475 in 4,644 households (in the year 2030). Three major existing surface sources which are providing 8 lps of water to the system will also be continued in this project. Considering the scarcity of water in the dry season 8 lps of water from Tankhuwa will be collected down at the bank of Nibuwa Stream. After jointly treating the water from both sources ( Nibuwa and Tankhuwa) 16 lps of the water will be pumped from Nibuwa Stream to Schooldanda (665 m height) to cater the demand for the design year 2030.

84. Part of the proposed project is under operation. Similarly in some places structures like stream intakes, slow sand filter, roughening filters, and reservoirs are in operation. These existing structures are to be utilized. Because of land topography and the settlement patterns, existing water supply structures, the Project area has been sub divided into four different subsystems, so that each part is served by its own water supply system. As per the system layout the separate service area coverages are:

i) Nigale Subsystem covering part of ward 2: This subsystem will mainly covers Nigale, Kagate, Mathillo Sifting, Tallo Sifting etc. Three numbers of 20 m3 RCC reservoir are in good operating condition. One additional 20 m3 RCC reservoir is proposed. Treatment plant including roughening filter, sedimentation unit and slow sand filter are provided to serve treated water to the people of these areas.

ii) School danda subsystem: This subsystem will serve part of ward no 3 and 4. One 50 m3 and two 20 m3 RCC ground reservoirs are operating in good condition. This subsystem will serve Mathillo Kachide, Tallo Kachide, Mathillo Atmara, Tallo Atmara, of ward number 3 and other parts of ward # 4 eg Wagle Utasahi, Amaltar, Adhikari tole, Mohan Biscuit etc.

iii) Salleri subsystem: This subsystem will cover the main bazaar area i.e, part of ward numbers 5 and 6. A Slow Sand Filter (SSF) having capacity of 15 lps is already in good operating condition. A 300 m3 RCC ground based reservoir has been proposed to serve this subsystem.

iv) Chuliban (Dadagaon) subsystem: This subsystem aims to serve part of ward 7. A 125 m3 RCC ground based reservoir has been proposed at Dadagaon.

85. The length of transmission pipe has been estimated as 51 km (including 41 km existing, proposed 2.2 km for pumping scheme, 7.85 km for Tankhuwa to Nibuwa). Similarly the length of distribution pipe network is proposed to be 57.85 km. The cost of the Project is estimated at NRs 268,714,040 (water supply component only) and NRs 13,434,431 for sanitation component.

4. Proposed Schedule of Implementation

86. The work will be contracted to a contractor, the standard procedure for selection and tendering will be followed as per the norms of the Fiscal Act and Regulations. These will comprise of • tendering and approval of contract, • presentation of security performance, • field mobilization of workers, technicians and professional of the contractor,

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

• procurement and transportation of materials, • installation of structural works, mechanical works, pipe works and finishing works.

5. Description of the Subprojects

87. The Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project has been conceptualized as a piped water supply system based on existing gravity systems and pumping of water from surface sources for additional water to cater the demand with ground reservoirs for distribution. The system has been formulated for a reliable continuous 24 hours drinking water supply in adequate quantity and quality to the consumers of the service area at the desired service level. The schematic system layout of the project components is given in Figure 1.12 for easy conceptualization.

Figure 1.12: Schematic Layout of Project Components

Nibuwa stream

Tankhuwa Stream

Sludge Drying Bed

Tamor river

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 2: Salient Features of Dhankuta Town Project

S.No. Items Description 1 Name of the Project Second Small Town Water Supply & Sanitation Sector Project, Dhankuta Town Project 2 Type Gravity & Pumping Scheme 3 Location Area Region Eastern Development Region District Dhankuta VDC/Municipality Municipality Ward 2 to 7 4 Source Characteristics Source Name Nibuwa & Tankhuwa (proposed for Pumping Scheme) (stream intakes) Other spring sources for gravity system : Aitebare, Tindobhane, Lungdang (in operation) Source type & location All surface sources Ward # 1 for Gravity and Ward # 5 for Nibuwa and Tankhuwa VDC for Tankhuwa Stream Tapped yield (lps) Gravity :8.46 lps Pumping from Nibuwa : 16 lps Pumping Head 665 m Pumping hours: 19 hrs @ 16 lps Pumping station 3 #, 50 m3 reservoir for initial stage and 20m3 reservoir in other two stations Pump type Submersible type 32 HP each with 2 # 32 HP in operation in each pumping station Storage Tank Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Tallo Shifting Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Mathillo Shifting Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Syaule Proposed 20 m3 ground reservoir in Syaule Existing 50 m3 ground reservoir in School danda Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in School danda Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Schooldanda Proposed 300 m3 ground reservoir in Salleri Proposed 125 m3 ground reservoir in Chuliban

TOTAL 595 m3 of reservoir Intake Stream Intake 1.5m ht : 2# for Nibuwa and Tankhuwa streams Other existing operating intakes will be used Household Connection (Nos.) 3130 for base year 2015 Total Length of pipe (Km) Transmission : Existing: 41 km Pumping mains GI(150 mm dia) = 2.2 Km Tankhuwa to Nibuwa (HDPE 6kg class) : 7.85 km Distribution : 57.85 Km Electrical Generator-3, Transformer-3, 11 Kv Transmission 2.1 Km Treatment Unit Existing Conventional Treatment Plant with Sedimentation, SSF and Chlorination Grit chambers, Sedimentation, Roughening filters are proposed using existing SSF at Schooldanda for pumping scheme.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

S.No. Items Description 5 Social Status Present Population (2012) 15,139 Base Year Population (2015) 16,169 Design Year Population (2030) 22,475 Adopted Growth Rate % 2.22 (Average) Household Numbers (2012) 3130 Average Family Sizes 4.84 6 Total Water Demand Base year 2015 (m3/day) Total 1,270.73 Design year 2030 (m3/day) Total 1,766.31 7 Total Cost of the Project (NRs.) 282,148,471.72 with 15% contingencies & 13%VAT Water Supply Sector NRs 268,714,040.59 Sanitation Sector NRs 13,434,431.13 Sanitation Components a) equipment for Solid waste NRs 1,635,000.00 management b) Sludge Drying bed & Sludge NRs 2,901,542.00 suction Tanker mounted on trailer

c) Bio engineering works including NRs 6,202,990.00 plantation, wicker works etc d) Protection works ( Gabion NRs 1,149,345.00 Work) Cost Sharing Arrangement for 8 water supply component (NRs) 268,714,040.59 a) GoN / ADB @ 50% NRs 134.357 million b) WUSC Contribution c) Users contribution @ 5% to 15 NRs 13.44 to 40.31 million % d) Loan through TDF @ 35% to NRs 94.05 to 120.92 45% Cost Sharing Arrangement for 9 Sanitation component (NRs) NRs 13,434,431.13 a) ADB/ GON NRs 11.42 million b) Local body /users etc NRs 2.014 million 10 Environment ADB Category Category B IEE finding No adverse effect, IEE required

a. Project Components

i. Water Supply System Source Location:

88. The designated sources to serve the service area are existing surface sources namely Tindhobhane source, Aitabare-Lungdang as gravity sources and combination of Nibuwa and Tankhuwa stream as pumping scheme.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

89. Location of existing major three sources are situated in ward no 1, almost 13 km north of Dhankuta Bazaar. Nibuwa stream is located on the eastern boarder of the municipality. About 8 lps of water from Tankhuwa stream which lies 8 km distant will be collected near Nibuwa and collectively pumped for distribution purpose. A pumping transmission main requiring 2.2 km in length and 665m of head is to be developed from Nibuwa stream.

Source Yield:

90. Nigale and Schooldanda subsystem will be catered by Chuliban and Aitabare sources respectively. These existing gravity sources are yielding 1.17, 2.07 and 5.22 lps respectively for years in the dry season. Considering the scarcity of water in the dry season 8 lps of water from Tankhuwa will be collected down at the bank of Nibuwa. After jointly treating water from both sources 16.0 lps will be pumped. Following table describes the safe yield of sources.

Table 3: Safe Yield of Sources S.No Source Type Safe Remarks Yield (lps) 1 Chuliban Gravity 1.17 In operation 2 Aitabare Gravity 2.07 In operation 3 Tindobhane Gravity 5.22 In operation 4 Nibuwa Pumping 16.0 proposed +Tankhuwa TOTAL 24.46

91. For the monsoon season the entire systems will be run from gravity sources. From Aitabare source, WUSC has already laid pipes to carry additional 4lps of discharge in monsoon season and is in operation. By laying additional transmission pipe to carry about 11 lps of water from Tindhobhane source, pumping duration could be reduced even after the rainy season.

92. Discharge of the Tankhuwa stream was measured as 52 lps in the month of December 2012. Similarly that of Nibuwa river at the proposed intake site was measured to be in order of 60 lps ( in April 2012 discharge was measured to be 42 lps). Both of these are ground water fed streams and are perennial. Dhankuta WUSC is allowed to use pipe size not exceeding 125 mm to transmit water from Tankhuwa stream. WUSC can thus indisputably utilize both the sources. Hence, availability of water for pumping will be sufficient.

Intake:

93. The total water demand in the project area comes out to be 1766 Cu m/day for 2030. From existing gravity sources 691 Cu m/day (8.46 lps) will be collected from existing operating sources. Additional water of 16 lps will be collected from Nibuwa and Tankhuwa streams. Stream intakes of 1.5m height from bed level are proposed for Tankhuwa and Nibuwa streams. These concave shaped gravity dam type intakes are proposed to be constructed with rockfill (dry stone masonry) in the core and covered with RCC. Two layers of 1m high check dams will be provided upstream for arresting unwanted materials. Further protection will be carried out by providing 1m high dry stone masonry using gabions. Similarly existing intakes are proposed to be cleaned and damaged portions repaired.

Transmission mains:

94. The existing gravity sources are located about 13 km from the bazaar. For three sources about 41 km of transmission mains are in operation. Though these are GI ( Chuliban source) and HDPE (other two

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

sources), are functioning well. Other transmission main required is from Tankhuwa to Nibuwa from where water is proposed to be collected down to Nibuwa. HDPE pipes of 125 mm size of class 6 kg/cm2 is proposed. For Nibuwa river to Schooldanda where 665 pumping head is needed, GI pipes of size 150 mm is proposed as the site has steep slopes and is rocky. Most of the pipe line shall be above ground and suitable support pillars shall be provided.

Treatment Facilities:

95. Water quality assessments of the presently used and proposed sources were carried out. Though most of the physical parameters are found within the NDWQS, 2062 bacteriological parameters are found not within the NDWQS. The Total and Faecal Coliforms in proposed sources are found high and are not within the standards set by NDWQS, 2062. The water quality has worsened in the rainy season due to increase in runoff of the sources with associated increase in suspended solids, turbidity and dissolved minerals. Hence, water from these sources cannot be considered safe and requires treatment before supplying to the public.

96. The water treatment system consisting of grit chambers, sedimentation tank, roughing filter, slow sand filter and disinfection is proposed in both the Tankhuwa-Nibuwa Stream subsystem and other gravity flow water supply subsystems to make the water safe for drinking purpose as per the requirements of the NDWQS.

Grit Chamber:

97. Grit chamber of 10 lps capacity each is proposed near the intake site of the Tankhuwa Stream and Nibuwa Stream in Tankhuwa-Nibuwa Stream subsystem to remove the grits and suspended particles and reduce loads in the subsequent treatment components. The horizontal flow rectangular grit chamber made of stone masonry with 10 minutes detention time is proposed. The surface overflow rate of the grit chamber is 6000 l/m2/hr. The grit chamber is expected to remove all the particles of equal or greater than 0.05 mm with specific gravity of 2.65 at 10oC. Grit chambers are also proposed for other sources to arrest the subsequent particles.

Sedimentation Tank:

98. The effluent of the grit chamber will still contain small suspended particles especially during the rainy season. Sedimentation tanks are proposed in the Tankhuwa-Nibuwa Stream subsystem and other gravity flow subsystems to remove grits and suspended particles. Sedimentation tank will remove the suspended solids including precipitated minerals. The horizontal flow rectangular sedimentation tank made of R.C.C. with 3 hours detention time is proposed. Two sedimentation tanks each with capacity of 8lps are proposed in the Tankhuwa-Nibuwa Stream subsystem so that at least one of them is working while another one is under maintenance. This will provide continuous water treatment thus increasing the service level. However, only one sedimentation tank is proposed in the gravity flow subsystems of 2 lps capacity due to limited capacity. The proposed sedimentation tank is expected to remove 70% of the suspended solids.

Roughing Filter:

99. The water from the outlet of the sedimentation tank is conveyed to the inlet of the roughing filters. The roughening filter removes the suspended solids including the precipitated minerals thus by reducing the turbidity in the water. The R.C.C. horizontal flow type rectangular roughening filter with 3 compartments packed with gravel has been proposed. The filtration rates of 3.0 and 1.5 m3/m2/hr have been adopted for Tankhuwa-Nibuwa Stream subsystem and other small gravity flow subsystems, respectively. Four units of roughening filters each with capacity of 4lps are proposed for Tankhuwa-Nibuwa Stream subsystem while two units with 1lps capacity of roughing filters are proposed for and other gravity flow subsystems requiring discharge of 2 lps. The water from the

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

roughing filter is conveyed to the slow sand filter for further removal of turbidity and microorganisms. The roughing filter removes suspended solids present in the water and prevents frequent clogging and cleaning of the slow sand filter.

Slow Sand Filter:

100. Slow sand filter (SSF) made of R.C.C. is proposed to remove fine suspended solids there by reducing the turbidity of water. The slow sand filter is to be packed with sand and gravel. An under - drainage system is installed below the gravel support to collect the filtered water. The filtration rate of 0.20 m3/m2/hr has been adopted. The existing slow sand filter situated in Schooldanda will be utilized for Tankhuwa-Nibuwa Stream subsystem and two units for small gravity flow subsystems. The slow sand filter is expected to bring down the turbidity of water as per NDWQS. Large number of coliforms is expected to be removed in the slow sand filter.

Disinfection:

101. Although SSF removes coliforms to a certain extent, the effluent of the SSF might still contain coliforms which might be harmful to human health. These coliforms are killed by the disinfections process and make the water safe. Disinfection is proposed by the addition of bleaching powder in the reservoir. Bleaching powder is to be dosed from a dosing tank. The chlorine dose of 1 mg/l is proposed. Pumping Stations:

102. A stream intake shall be constructed and the water after grit removal and roughening filtration shall be collected in a 50 m3 capacity tank which shall be pumped to a service reservoir situated above 665 m. Three pumping stations are proposed. The following figure 1.13 illustrates the position of pumping stations and collection tanks.

Figure 1.13: Nibuwa Stream Pumping Scheme

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Collection Tanks:

103. A water collection tank of suitable capacity is necessary when the discharge rate of the water source is less than the pumping rate. During maintenance of the intake and treatment units it may be necessary to interrupt water supply from the source and a water tank may become necessary. This also helps to maintain necessary head for the pump water tank. For the first stage of pumping relatively larger size of collection tank for retaining water for 50 minutes, a 50 m3 capacity water collection tank is proposed. For other stations a 20 m3 collection tank is proposed.

Ground Level Reservoir / Overhead Tank:

104. As governed by topography multiple distribution systems have been adopted. The total storage requirement for the project area at the end of the design period i.e. 2030 is calculated as 595 m3. There are already few ground water tanks and will be used for the proposed project. Existing and additional reservoirs required to cater the demand of year 2030 is given in the table 4 below:

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 4: Required Reservoirs S.No Subsystem Reservoir Existing / Area to be Sizes (m3 ) Type Proposed distributed 1 Nigale 20 Ground Existing Tallo Sifting Reservoir 20 do Existing Mathillo Sifting 20 do Existing Syaule 20 do Proposed Syaule 2 School Danda 50 Do Existing Amaltar, Subsystem Adhikari Basti etc 20 Do Existing Tallo Atmara 20 do Existing Mathillo Atmara 3 Salleri 300 do proposed Main bazaar etc SubSystem 4 Chuliban 125 do proposed Dadagaon, SubSystem Madan Chowk etc TOTAL 595

Electrical / Mechanical works:

105. The 11KV line is available at a distance of 2 km from water intake point, ie Nibuwa river source. This electric power line shall be provided in each pumping station which shall be converted with appropriate capacity distribution transformer to TPN 415V/220 V and shall be used to operate pump and pump station lighting.

106. A Generator facility system is also included in each pumping station as standby.

Number of Pump Sets in each Station:

107. It is suggested to install two pump sets each with ½ capacity (½ of 16 lps) pumping rate, operating two pumps in parallel for the following reasons:

a) It reduces initial starting current for motor which reduces overloading of transformer in each start. b) In normal operation it reduces the effect of water hammering in the pumping main. c) It requires less diameter accessories, thereby reducing the cost for replacement. d) When one pump set is out of order 50% of the production capacity remains and there will be no interruption of water supply. It gives more time for repair. Thus two pumps with ½ capacity of pumping rate in each station ( total 2*3=6) pumps are proposed.

108. Following power ratings are calculated for pumping stations :

Table 5: Power rating of pumps Pumping Number of Power rating for each Stations No pumps pump (KW) 1 2 30 2 2 30 3 2 34

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Distribution Network:

109. The distribution system comprises of a pipe network consisting of mainly loops and tree branches in some cases as governed by topography and settlement pattern. The network predominantly contains HDPE pipes. Altogether 57 km of distribution pipe network is proposed.

House Connections:

110. The system has been designed, predominantly as house to house connections for the design year 2030. However, initially during the construction phase, only 3130 house connections will be provided to fulfil the need for the base year population.

Fire Hydrants:

111. Altogether 4 numbers of fire hydrants have been proposed to meet the demand of fire extinguishers.

Other System Appurtenances:

112. These will primarily comprise of valve chambers or connector boxes to house inflow control valves for controlling flow in the pipeline etc. Altogether 71valve chambers and connection chambers are proposed in the system. Some extra connection chambers have been initially provided so that road crossings could be avoided during the operational phase.

Pump House:

113. Permanent pump houses have not been provided. As submerged types of pumps are to be used they shall be kept in the open. Electrical panels however will be housed inside the generator house.

Generator/Operator House:

114. A permanent generator house will be constructed at each pumping station. A permanent space to accommodate the pump operator will be provided in this generator house.

ii. Environmental Sanitation

115. Components of environmental sanitation are described below.

a. Source Protection works:

116. The town project utilizes various surface sources and thus protection works are required for the sustainability of the project. The Northern side of the Dhankuta Bazaar (downhill of the Hile market) has good and dense forests which possesses numerous surface sources. These sources are groundwater fed streams. These surface sources have been used for drinking water and agricultural purposes for years. Numerous events of erosion can be encountered in the vicinity of sources as deforestation is slowly taking place. The following methods are proposed for the source protection works and these are to be implemented in coordination with the concerned Forest Users Group.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Wicker Work Fencing:

117. Wicker Work Fencing is very popular in regenerating vegetation. Sproutable branches are put around the stakes like a fence and the ends of sproutable twigs are put into the soil. The common tree like (Simali tree) which is adequate in forests of Dhankuta is very suitable for this purpose.

Planting shrubs (Amriso):

118. Amriso (Thysanolaea maxima) is abundantly found in Dhankuta. Leaves are used as fodders for farm animals and other parts are used to make brooms and are very popular in the country. Planting of this shrub is also proposed both at upstream and downstream of the sources.

Gabions:

119. Gabions are structures made of stones which are normally set up by manual labour and covered with a wire mesh to keep them together. Construction of gabions is simple; with proper supervision, unskilled labours can set up these structures. They are cheap and can be constructed within a short time stone material which is available in many places at the construction site. The gabion works have been proposed as check dams and slope stabilizer.

Revegetation:

120. Revegetation work should be carried out with pioneer species (in order to ensure the fastest possible growth) to stabilize slopes subject to landslides, or as a preventative erosion control measure. When considering plants for use as slope stabilizers it should be borne in mind that they have strong, deep roots to bind as much soil as possible. Wherever possible it would be desirable to select species for afforestation on bare slopes which could be used as fodder or fuelwood trees, since there is a desperate need for such trees in many developing countries. Ethnic trees like Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Simali and other suitable plants are proposed. These works are proposed upstream and around the sources.

b. Solid Waste Management:

121. Waste management is one of the key issues that have to be addressed to keep the environment clean. The solid waste rubbish and garbage produced by the community has to be properly disposed off. It has been observed that most of the inhabitants of the project area (especially Low income - cluster) are not aware of the problem of solid waste including health and hygiene. The project therefore proposes to conduct a number of trainings and awareness generating programs. These programs will help to reduce, reuse and recycle the wastes from the households.

122. As major portion of Dhankuta has a rural setting and people are found to dispose their waste by making pits in their garden, on site sanitation is suitable in these area. Training programs focusing on reduce, reuse and recycle of waste will be conducted. Segregation of waste (bio-degradable and non

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

degradable), composting of degradable waste will be carried out. Similarly kitchen and bathroom waste water could be managed by developing simple soak pits in the kitchen garden. This is being practised in the project area, which will make it easier for further dissemination of the practice.

123. A sanitary land fill site is located in Atmara ward no 3 of Dhankuta Municipality and has an area of 47 Ropani (24,000 m2) and is expected to cater 30 years. It was constructed in 2010 AD with the cooperation of GoN-LGCDP, users group and municipality. Presently 13 staffs are providing day to day service of managing solid waste.

124. Some houses in the market area are found to collect their waste in bins also. This is a good practice. For the collection of solid waste from the market area the municipality has engaged a tractor to pick up the waste. While discussing with the officials of municipality they have requested for a tractor with trailer for prompt service. Similarly few hand carts (wheel barrows) and collection bins (115 ltrs capacity) are proposed. Besides training programs shall be conducted regarding solid waste management to the concerned municipality officials, WUSC members and other members of Tole Lane Organisations.

c. Wastewater management:

125. As described above most part of the Dhankuta has a rural type of setting. People are found to manage wastewater by collecting in pits and using for irrigation purpose in kitchen gardens. Even in the bazaar area wastewater managed in their backyard. In the years to come, however management of waste water in the bazaar area may be required. But still for some years to come a simple sludge drying bed will be sufficient. Stone masonry structure with sand and gravel packing (600 mm only) is proposed. Double layer of plastic sheets of 500 micron thick and 150mm thick clay lining are proposed to prevent leaking to the earth. Dried sludge can be sold to the farmers as organic fertilizer. A suction tank (trailer mounted) is also proposed for cleaning septic tanks of individual households. The cost of sludge drying bed and trailer mounted suction tank is estimated to be Rs 3.0 million.

126. Three steps cascade each with 200 x 200 mm vertical and horizontal constructed with stone masonry is proposed. Thus aerated effluent produced from sludge drying bed, will gravitates to stone masonry lined circular soakpits. The outer side of the soak pit will be lined with impervious material (clay and plastic lining) so as to infiltrate from the bottom of the pit. The soakpit will be packed with brickbats, limestone, coal and sand in layers. The top of the soakpit will be covered with stone chips/ aggregate. Twin soakpits with diameter 1.5m and depth 2m have been proposed.

d. Support Activities:

127. As described earlier, the project is community based and involves communities from the inception to project implementation. As such there is a need of variety of trainings to water users committee members. Besides, awareness -generating programs have been identified. The project thus intends to conduct following training and awareness generating programs through a NGO in the project area.

• Health Awareness Campaign • School Health Education Program • Training of Community Motivators • Training of WUSC Members • Solid Waste Management Training • Animal Waste Management Training

128. The above program also includes training to WUSC on matters of finance (fixing of water tariff, collection of water revenue, accounting etc.) and purely technical aspects (water quality testing, monitoring, metering, maintenance, estimating cost etc.)

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Figure 1.14: Pipe line system Design layout

Pipe line system layout

b. Project Requirements

i. Land Area

129. The location of proposed components especially for reservoirs, treatment facilities, pump house, generator operator house, sludge drying bed and soak pits for all the subsystems has been procured by WUSC.

130. No additional land is required for construction of any other structures of the project. No temporary land is likely to be required during project execution. The construction camp will be located within the premises of the land owned by the project.

131. The project, especially during distribution, will not entail relocation of any existing public and private facilities such as power lines, communication lines, water supply and sewerage pipelines, canals, foot-trails etc. The desire of the community was to have pipe lines on both sides of the main roads especially black topped roads. This will prevent frequent trench digging of the black topped road for service connections.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

132. Additional electricity line, stretching around two kilometres, for Nibuwa pumping station is necessary in order to pump water. The additional electricity line will not entail disruption of any public utilities as the adjacent area has no settlement and cultivation.

ii. Materials Required 133. The following Table 6 gives the main materials required during construction and operation of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The source of the materials are:

Aggregate - Crusher at Chisang Khola located in the Letang VDC. Sand - Mulghat, Dhankuta District HDPE Pipes - 69 km, sizes ranging from 180mm to 50mm to be procured. DI Pipes - 1.5 km, sizes ranging from 200 to 150 mm to be imported

Table 6: Materials Required

Particulars Unit Quantity Reinforcement M. Ton 126 Cement Bag 6,300 Bricks Nos. 226,800 Aggregate Cu m 1,017 Sand Cu m 821 Wood Cu m 3.2 Stone Cu m 472

iii. Electricity requirement 134. The power supply is basically required for the following applications: (a) Light and power to the office building, (b) Light and power to the generator/pump control room, (c) Light to the compound/site; such lighting to be provided by fitting an arm to the Metallic Tubular Poles or poles provided solely for compound light.

135. In general, each pumping station is provided with; (a) Generator operator house , (b) Collection tank , (c) Pump house and (d) Outdoor lighting for the compound.

136. The electrical load demand of such facilities is assessed assuming lighting loads in the Guard House and Office Building for average 6 hours a day, diesel generator/pump control room, and premises illumination for average 8 hours a day, while all pumps are considered to operate as per the optimum schedule.

137. At pumping stations and reservoir sites, the power supply will be availed by extending NEA 3-phase 11 kV feeder line from the main-road, where a NEA distribution transformer is located on the H-pole structure. The extended 11 kV line will be tapped at the sites. Each of the sites will be provided with an H-pole structure for mounting a distribution transformer of adequate capacity. The capacity of each transformer is determined on the basis of the average operational loads of the respective sites

138. The line extensions will use 30 sq. mm. (Weasel) ACSR conductors on PCC poles with cross-arms as per the accepted norms and practices of NEA. The PCC poles will be of 11 m. long Type for 11 kV lines and 9 m. long Type for LV lines and both these poles will be of NEA standard.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

iv. Human Resource 139. The Table 7 gives the details of human resource (skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labor) required during the construction and operation and maintenance of the project. Table 7: Human Resources

Type of Labour required (Quantity ) S.N Activities Semi-Skilled Skilled Unskilled labor Labor Labour Construction work 1. Earthwork 1580 10 2. PCC work 24 9 3. Form work and scaffolding 45 21 4. Water proofing work 3 1 5. Reinforcement work 154 96 6. Brick work 48 8 7. Door and window work 8 65 8. Cement and Plaster 125 98 9. Floor and wall tiles 350 28 10. Painting work 240 33 11. Railing work 252 11 12. HDPE piple laying and jointing(butt 22 11 11 welded joint) including fitting 13. GI pipe laying and jointing (Socket 17 11 7 joint) excluding fittings. 14. Ductile Iron Pipe Laying & Jointing 420 12 13 (Tyron joint) excluding fittings. 15 Miscellaneous works 179 1 59 Operation and Maintenance work S.N. Personnel (monthly) Number 1. Engineer/Manager 1 2. Administrator Chief/ Accountant 1 3. Plant / Supervisor/ Mechanical 2 Overseer 4 Plant Operator/ Pump Operator 2 5 Office assistants, meter readers 3 5. Plumber 3 6 Junior Office Assistants, Cashiers, 2 Helpers 7. Meter readers 3 6. Watch man/peon 2

v. Project Activities 140. Table 8 gives the details of the project activities during the construction and operation and maintenance phases of the project.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 8: Project Activities

S. N. Description

Construction Phase A Preliminary and General Requirements 1. Work related to transportation facility, survey equipment and filed assistance B Civil work 1 Land Development 2 Operator / Guard House 3 Boundary Wall (4*105=420 m), 1# of Gate for each pumping station 420 m barbed wire fencing 5 Ground water tank (425 cu m), Collection tanks : 50 cum 1 # and 20 cum 2 # 6 Grit chambers, Collection chamber, Grit Sedimentation unit, Roughing units and Slow Sand Filters 7 Pump House 8 Concrete Valve Chamber (600 x 600 x 1000) 9 House connection 10 Pipe Trench 11 Pipe laying & joining 12 Pipe laying across bridge crossings 13 Fire Hydrant C Pipe & Fitting Works 1 Distribution Pipe (57 Km) 2 Transmission Pipe (Existing 41 km , Proposed: 2.2 km GI, 7.8 Km HDPE) 3 Pipe fittings 4 Tools & Plants D Electrical Work / Mechanical 1 Total Electrical Work 2 Pumping main work including pumps with installation cost 3 Generators E Environmental Mitigation Work Supply, plantation and caring of different species of plants (As per layout of the reservoir premises) and other measures as described in environmental management plan of the project and as directed by engineer O&M Phase Operation and Maintenance activities including operating the system and managing personnel, energy, chemicals, office and water safety plan.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

C. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Physical Resources

a. Geophysical Profile

i. Topography

141. The proposed Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project is situated at Dhankuta municipality in Dhankuta district of Koshi zone. The project area is situated along Koshi Highway. The town project area is located at 260 58’29.27” latitude and 870 20’36.51” longitude having altitude 1169m to 1560m above mean sea level and covers ward no 2 to 7 of Dhankuta Municipality.

Figure 2.1: Location of Dhankuta in Nepal

ii. Geology and Soils

142. Geologically, Dhankuta is in the Mahabharata range. Rocks consist of gneiss, granite gneiss, quartzite schist etc. Quartzite occasionally with limestone is also found. Structurally, the area is folded, faulted, and fractured. Sandy soil is predominant in the area. Loamy soil is dominant in the eastern side.

iii. Climate 143. Being located in the Midhills, the climate is essentially warm temperate, sub tropical. The temperature is mild both in summer and winter. The temperature varies from 20C in January to 320C in June. Average annual precipitation is expected to be 950mm. 75% of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon period during the months of June –August.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

iv. Air quality 144. The air quality of the area can be considered to be fairly less polluted. Very few vehicles pass through the area. No polluting industries are located in the periphery.

v. Surface Water Quality 145. The proposed project area is situated along Koshi Highway, South of Hile Bazaar. Numerous surface water sources are available in the area. Among them are Trisule, Mudhe, Juke, Lungdang, Aitabare, Charchare, Nibuwa in the Municipality area whereas Tankhuwa stream is located in Tankhuwa VDC. Tamor River forms the southern boundary of the Municipality. Of the 40 samples collected for water quality baseline condition, 13 (32.5%) were directly from the Source (32.5%), 13 (32.5%) from Reservoirs, and remaining 14 (35%) from selected Taps. Water quality test reports are annexed (see Annex- 5).

146. Physical parameters such as pH, temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were analyzed from different sources during dry and wet seasons.

147. Different chemical parameters such as Total Alkalinity (TA), Total Hardness (TH), Chloride (Cl), Nitrate (NO3), and Ammonia (NH3) were analysed from different sources (intakes, reservoirs and taps) during dry and wet seasons.

148. Heavy metals like Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Total Chromium (TCr), Arsenic (As), and Aluminium (Al) were analyzed in water samples of Dhankuta municipality. The seasonal and also source wise variation is shown in figure 2.2

Figure 2.2: Seasonal and Source Wise Variation of Heavy Metals

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

149. In concern with microbial parameters, Total Coliform and Faecal Coliform were analyzed from different sources (intakes, reservoirs and taps) in dry and wet season as shown in figure 2.3

Figure 2.3: Seasonal and Source Wise Variation of Coliforms

150. Total Coliform (TC) includes bacteria that are found in the soil, in water that has been influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste. Faecal Coliform (FC) is group of Total Coliform that are considered to be present specifically in the gut and faeces of warm-blooded animals.

151. There was no such odour problem in water supplied. About 72% (43 respondents) of the respondent said there was no odour problem in supplied water (figure 2.4). But sometimes there is smell of chlorine in water used as disinfectants.

Figure 2.4: Consumers’ Response on Odour as Quality of Water in Project Area

152. There are different practices in use to ensure safe drinking water such as using household filtration technique, boiling, use of medicine, sunlight and covering vessel (figure 2.5). Most common method used was household filtration technique and also many of them boil water. There were also some people who don’t use any treatment methods and use the water as supplied.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Figure 2.5: Methods in Practice to Ensure Safe Drinking Water in Project Area

2. Ecological Resources

a. Forest

153. Deforestation has decreased the vegetation of the project area. Most of it has been turned into agricultural farm lands. Since the concept of community forests was introduced, preservation of forest can be observed. Five Community Forests (CF) as mentioned in Table 9 lie in the project area.

Table 9: Community Forests in the Project Area

S.No Name of the Community Forests Ward No 1 Chureghati Community Forest Dhankuta Municipality, 4 2 Syaule-Patle Community Forest Dhankuta Municipality, 4 3 Chharachhare Community Forest Dhankuta Municipality, 1 4 Raniban Community Forest Dhankuta Municipality, 1 5 Bhirgaaon Community forest Bhirgaon VDC, 7

b. Flora

154. The most common floral species found in the forest are Pinus radiata (Utis) , Juglans regia (Okhar) , Cedrus deodara (Deodar), Castanopsis indica (Katus), Exbucklandia populnia (Pipal) and Pinus roxburghii ( Khote Salla).

155. Shrub of Thysanolaea maxima (Amriso) is predominantly found in the forest.

156. Medicinal plants of significance found in the area are Sikakai (Acacia concinna), Assuro (Adhatoda vasica), Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), Kureelo (Asparagus racemosus), Harro (Terminalia cheberia), Barro (Terminalia belerica) and Amala (Emblica officinalis).

c. Fauna

157. Wild life has decreased to a considerable extent in the area. Common monkeys (Rhesus macaque, Bonnet macaque) are commonly found. Other wild animals like wild boar (Susscro facristatus), deer (Axis axis), porcupine (Hystrix indica) along with other animals are found. Ploceidae passer, Pava cristatus, Corovous corone, Diurnilis neophron and Gallus gallus are some of the bird species seen in the area.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

3. Social and Cultural Resources

a. Population and Communities

158. Table 10 indicates that the total population in the project area is 15,139 (in 2012 AD). Average size of the household is 4.84. It shows the presence of 13.9 % of temporary population. Major concentration of temporary population is found in ward no 7 and 6.

Table 10: Household and Population Structure

S. Ward No. of Permanent Population Grand No. No. Households Female Male Total Temporary Total Population 1 2 342 855 876 1731 76 1807 2 3 381 948 931 1879 107 1986 3 4 591 1457 1146 2603 348 2951 4 5 454 1125 1087 2212 247 2359 5 6 364 910 894 1804 495 1999 6 7 998 2474 2436 4910 835 6145 Total 3130 7769 7370 15139 2108 17247 51.32% 48.68% (100 %)

Source: Field Survey, BDA/PEA JV, 2012

b. Ethnic Composition 159. Dhankuta is a heterogeneous town in terms of composition of caste and ethnicity. The caste and ethnic groups of the project area mainly comprises of Janajati, Brahman/Chhetri, Dalit and others. Distribution of total population by caste/ethnicity is presented in Table 11.

Table 11: Distribution of Population by Caste/Ethnic Groups Ward Brahman Janjati Dalit Others Total No. / Chhetri 2 602 889 98 142 1731 3 674 793 104 308 1879 4 808 1391 254 150 2603 5 536 1137 354 185 2212 6 368 1079 212 145 1804 7 925 3411 286 288 4910 Total 3913 8700 1308 1218 15139 25.85% 57.47% 8.64% 8.05% 100.00% Source: Field Survey, BDA/PEA JV, 2012

160. Janjatis are the dominant ethnic group (57.47%) in the project area followed by Brahman / Chhetri (25.85%). The data shows that there is not much of a difference in the ratio of Dalit and others castes (8.64% and 8.05% respectively) in the service area.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

c. Health Facilities and Sanitation

161. Most of the diseases occur due to poor quality of drinking water. Such Diseases as diarrhoea, dysentery, skin disease (scabies), worms (roundworm, whipworm, tapeworm and guinea worm), fever (typhoid), malaria and jaundice are most common in the area. These diseases, in fact, are the outcome of deteriorating water quality, unsanitary conditions and lack of personal hygiene.

162. To identify major water borne diseases in Dhankuta municipality, available data from Dhankuta hospital was collected from 2068 to 2070 B.S. Water borne diseases noted were Typhoid (Enteric fever), Acute gastroenteritis, Amoebic Dysentery, Bacillary Dysentery, Diarrhea, Cholera, Intestinal Worms and Jaundice as shown in figure 2.6.

Figure 2.6: Number of Patients Suffering from Waterborne Diseases in Project Area

163. Of the eight different water borne diseases, most prevalent was typhoid and acute gastroenteritis. Few patients were noted for amoebic dysentery, intestinal worms and jaundice while some cases of cholera and diarrhoea also existed.

d. Educational Facilities

164. There are 11 Government and 15 private schools and one college run by the Government. About 4200 students are found studying in these schools.

e. Physical and Cultural Heritage

165. Bhimsen temple, Bhairab temple, Durga temple are located in the main bazaar. Aath Pariya Rai (ethnic group of Dhankuta) has different religious important places and is located on the hill tops.

f. Employment

166. Table 12 shows the occupation of the people living at Dhankuta. Of the total population in the Project area, agriculture constitutes the largest occupational group 43.3%. Accordingly business and services are found to be adopted by 31.2% and 17.7% respectively. About 4.5% people are also working in foreign countries.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 12: Distribution of Population by Occupation Occupational Population S. No Status (%) 1 Agriculture 43.3 2 Business 31.2 3 Service 17.7 4 Industry 0.3 5 Remittance 4.5 6 Wage 0.6 7 Other 2.4 8 Total 100

g. Distribution of Monthly Income Levels 167. Table 13 reveals that 69% of the households of the project area fall in the highest monthly income class viz., over Rs 15,000 followed by 19% in the second highest monthly income class of Rs 10,001 to Rs 15,000. Only 4% of the household are found to fall in category of having monthly income less than Rs 6000.00

Table 13: Distribution of No. of HHS by Monthly Income Levels Ward Ward Ward Ward Ward Monthly Total No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 (%) Income (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Up to Rs 4000 4 5 2 0 0 2 Rs 4001 - 6000 2 0 3 5 3 2 Rs 6001 - 8000 4 1 3 0 5 4 Rs 8001 - 10000 4 7 5 7 6 5 Rs 10001 - 15000 22 22 14 24 26 19 Above Rs 15000 64 65 73 64 60 68 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 Source: Field Survey, BDA/PEA JV, July 2012

168. Average monthly household is estimated to be Rs. 23,437.00 which is quite above the national average.

169. Dhankuta is quite famous for oranges. Fruit like Avocado is also grown. Cash crops like potatoes, ginger, cardamom, Amriso, Madagascar pepper (commonly known as Akbare Khorsani in Nepal) are widely grown. That could be the main reason for having good income in spite of agriculture being the main occupation.

4. Economic Development and Prospects for Growth

a. Land Use

170. The municipality area is dominated by forests, followed by agriculture land. The land of the area is fertile and good for cultivation of cash crops.

171. Government offices are located in a planned area. No other area has been planned than this portion. No specific area has been designated for industries. "Mohan Biscuit" is a twenty five years old factory and probably the oldest one. There are a few small scale industries as rice mills and furniture making.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

b. Infrastructural Facilities

i. Transportation 172. The Municipality is situated along the Koshi Highway.The main bazaar area has metalled roads whereas other portions are linked with earthen roads and by trail roads.

ii. Drinking Water Supply 173. The present water supply and sanitation situation for most of the project area is not satisfactory. Presently there are only 1650 private and 48 community taps in the wards 2 to 7. There is a serious shortfall of water supply. HHs who do not have the facility of piped water supply , are facing problems as WUSC has stopped providing new connections since 2004. In order to fulfill their daily need, the household members of this ward are bound to go to their neighbors daily to obtain and often beg for drinking water. They are compelled to go to the spring which takes one hour from the settlements for washing and bathing purposes.

174. In some of the wards water is distributed in alternate days for 1 hour. Most of the respondents (54.2%) have to spend up to 31-40 minutes to fetch water, while 45.8% have to spend about 20-30 minutes for fetching drinking water in both seasons from existing water sources.

iii. Surface Drainage, Sanitation & Sewerage 175. About 14 km of storm water drains can be observed along Highway constructed by the Department of Roads and along roads constructed by the municipality. 176. There is no sewerage system in the project area. Many inhabitants manage the sewers in pits in their backyards or wherever convenient. Latrines are found in 93 % of the households. Most of HHs dispose their solid waste in pits. Few houses in the market area dispose it haphazardly.

iv. Electricity 177. Dhankuta has electricity facilities and is connected to the 132 KV sub-station.

v. Communication 178. The project area is found to have facilities of telephone and cell phone.

c. Economic Development

i. Industry and commerce 179. No large scale industry is found within the project area. Mohan Biscuit is quite famous in Dhankuta and has been in operation since the last 25 years. 16 other small scale workshops, saw mills, rice mills are in operation.

180. There are eleven lodges and hotels in the Municipality.

ii. Agriculture development 181. Agriculture is the largest source of income with around 43% of the people in the project area depending on agriculture as their major occupation. As discussed earlier cash crops like potatoes, cardamom, ginger, Madagascar pepper, Amriso etc. are widely cultivated.

iii. Mineral development 182. Mineral development activities are non-existent in the project area.

iv. Development institutions and Government offices 183. Dhankuta is the regional headquarter of the country. It has 43 government offices, five commercial and development banks and 11 cooperative organizations. Apart from them, Police and Military units are also in operation within the project area.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

D. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

184. The potential impacts of the proposed Dhankuta town water supply and sanitation project are physical, biological, and socio-cultural in nature. They can occur at various phases of the project such as pre-construction, construction and operation and maintenance phases. The magnitude of the impacts can be small, moderate, or high depending upon its severity, and can be temporary or long term, reversible or irreversible, local or wide. The impacts need not necessary limit to negative but can be positive as well. The objective to Environment Management is to attempt to augment positive impacts and to minimize negative impacts by sustainable mitigation measures.

1. Beneficial Impacts and Augmentation Measures

a. Construction Phase

i. Employment Generation and Increase in Income 185. One of the major direct beneficial impacts of the water supply and sanitation project at construction stage is the creation of employment opportunity to the local community. The amount of money that is earned by the wages will directly enhance various economic activities and enterprise development with multiplier effect in Dhankuta.

186. In order to augment the impact, the local people particularly poor; dalit (occupational caste), ethnic minority and women will be given priority for employment and on job trainings, whenever required, will be provided.

ii. Skill Enhancement 187. Although many people in the project area are found unskilled at present, the construction of the water supply system and the distribution network is likely to enhance their skills in plumbing, fittings and other construction works. Furthermore, the project will also give on job practical training to the workers which will enhance their technical skills. The skill and knowledge acquired from the project during construction will enhance employment opportunities of local people who can earn livelihoods from similar project in future.

188. Workers especially pipe laying persons will be given on the job training on plumbing bathroom fittings, and other construction activities in order to augment the impact.

iii. Enterprise Development and Business Promotion 189. During construction period, different types of commercial activities will come into operation in order to cater the demand and requirement of workers. As money flow begins, they will regularly demand different food items, beverage and other daily needs. To meet these demands, small shops and restaurants around the vicinity of the construction sites are likely to come. Various farm based enterprises including wide range of agricultural and livestock products will also gain momentum as a result of increased demand by labors during construction period. This will increase local trade and business in the area.

b. Operation and Maintenance Phase

i. Improvement in health and saving of time 190. After the water supply and sanitation project is complete, the people living within the project area will benefit from the supply of sufficient quantity and good quality water and improved sanitary

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

conditions. Women and girl child will be directly benefited as they have to spend less time in fetching water and thus have more time for study, other household and income generating activities.

191. The impact will be augmented through regular maintenance of the water supply and sanitation system by the users group (WUSC)

ii. Development of Market center/ Tourism attraction centre 192. The calm, green and clean environment along with favourable climatic conditions of Dhankuta also has created the potential to develop tourism. Further more, the topography and climate of the area offer a tremendous potential to attract domestic and Indian tourists. The availability of good supply of drinking water will accelerate the rate of development of Dhankuta as a popular hill resort.

iii. Appreciation of Land Value 193. One of the major benefits of the project is that the land price will increase due to the availability of reliable safe drinking water and sanitation system. Dhankuta has good climate. The unavailability of good drinking water could be one of the reasons for some persons to opt out for conducting their business in the project area. Upon completion of the present project, migration from nearby hills is expected.

194. In order to promote the land development in the area, the local people will be made aware that high value lands are acceptable to the banks and microfinance institutions to provide loans for them to start their own economic/social ventures.

iv. Women Empowerment 195. Women and girls in particular will largely benefit from this project, as they are the ones who spend a great deal of time in fetching water. With the operation of the water supply scheme, this time will be saved. As contaminated water can lead to infection by several diseases the women of the family also have to spend a good deal of their time to care for the sick family member. With the improvement of water supply, there will be marked reduction in the occurrence of infectious disease in the area. This will provide more time to spend on other economic and social activities leading to empowerment.

196. In order to augment the impact, the water supply system will be regularly maintained so that it operates smoothly and health and awareness programmes will be given to the local people

v. Quality of Life Values 197. The project is not expected to adversely affect any cultural or recreational resources but will increase the existing quality of life values due to improvement in personal, household and community hygiene practices and health.

198. The project may help to enhance the life quality of people by many ways, like by providing opportunities for jobs, providing good quality water, improved sanitation etc.

2. Adverse Impacts and Mitigation Measures

a. Pre-construction Phase

• Damage to utility lines, community services, and infrastructure 199. Electric power supply infrastructure such as switching system, transmission lines, transformers etc can be disturbed during connecting to High Tension line causing inconvenience to the public. Similarly part of Koshi Highway running through the project area, and othernet work of internal roads can be damaged/disturbed while excavating for laying pipelines. 200. In order to mitigate the possible damage to utilities, services and infrastructure due to particular location of the project structure, as far as possible, the location of the project structures will avoid

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

electric poles and power supply structures. It will also avoid irrigation canal, storm drains along the roads and wherever there is no alternative for distribution lines to cross storm drains, it will pass through culverts or hume pipes. In such situation, permissions from concerned authorities users group will be obtained, agreements will be done and the locals will be notified well ahead of the construction time.

201. As legal obstructions may result in delay of work, legal requirements, such as Letters of Approval and agreement for (i) acquisition of land and properties, (ii) disruption of water supply, and irrigation canals and digging of roads will obtained as and when needed from relevant authorities.

• Risk of pollution of the raw water 202. There is a possibility that the consumers will be at a risk of getting polluted water due to inadequate measures to protect the system.

203. To mitigate the risk of pollution of raw water supply, safe intake sites with minimum risk of pollution will be selected and distribution pipes will be located away from drains (to avoid permeation of drain water).

204. Adequate source and intake protection measures will be provided for e.g. the source point will be located at a slightly higher elevation from drainage point of view.

b. Construction Phase

i. Physical Environment

• Erosion and land surface disturbance 205. Excavation and digging of trenches during construction has the potential to cause erosion and caving thereby causing soil erosion, silt runoff, and unsettling of street surfaces. Unorganised disposal of the excavated earth can disturb the street surface and decrease the value of the area where it is disposed. The activity as such will be a nuisance and discomfort to the road users and inhabitants.

206. However, since most of the project area is level ground without erosion prone spots there is less risk of landslides or erosion while digging trenches for the distribution lines.

207. During construction, precautionary measures will be taken; proper backfilling of excavated trenches will be done. Construction activities will be, as far as possible, avoided during the rainy season and temporary diversions and sign boards for pedestrians will be provided.

• Damage to the Existing Facilities 208. During the construction time, while excavating the earth, existing water supply distribution pipe lines are may get damaged in few places particularly in bazaar area in spite of great care.A repair team consisting plumber will be kept standby so that immediate repair can take place.

209. To avoid damage to telephone/ telecom line coordination with the office will be setup. Layout drawing if possible will be received from concerned office to avoid possible damage.

• Air and Noise pollution 210. The construction activity will comprise of construction of intakes in Nibuwa &Tankhuwa Rivers, Sedimentation tanks, Collecting tanks , lying of pipes, transport and installation of pumps, and about 700 m of earthen track construction. Other does not involve heavy machines except while track opening works which will produce some noise for short time. There will be some activities such as transportation, loading/unloading of construction materials such as sand and aggregates, quarrying operations and operation of crushers, stockpiling of construction waste and construction materials and

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

earthworks. These will cause some deterioration of air quality due to dust generation and vehicular emission as well as noise pollution.

211. The construction works can cause vibrations causing structural damage to buildings and structures in the locality. Use of power horns and movement of heavy vehicles at speed can cause a serious disturbance to the community, educational institutes, hospitals/health posts, residences etc.

212. Mitigating measures to reduce air and noise pollution are: - Provide information to the public about the work schedule - Fit mufflers in vehicles to control noise. - Limit the speed of vehicles. - Ban the use of power horns in vehicles. - Regular maintenance of equipment and vehicles. - Prohibit the operation of plants and construction vehicles between 7 PM to 6 AM in residential areas. - Compensate the damages caused by vibration to structures if caused by construction activities. - Avoid working at sensitive times (during religious festivals in the area) - Increase the work force in sensitive areas so as to finish the work quickly

• Impact due to quarrying 213. The construction intake well, treatment plant, tanks and other structures of the project will require river bed materials, boulders, and other construction materials. The extraction of these materials from inappropriate places or in excessive amount can cause damage to the local environment and accelerate erosion, landslide, disturb drainage pattern and cause water logging and water pollution. It can also change the morphology of the rivers and scar the environments.

214. In order to mitigate the impact from quarrying activities, construction materials will be obtained from quarries approved by the DDC; borrow pits will be leveled so as to suit the aesthetics of the area and to restore it to its original state after the project is complete. Quarrying/mining activities in river/streams for extraction of construction materials will not be done so as to change the river cross sections and longitudinal profiles.

ii. Biological Environment

• Loss of vegetation 215. The biological environmental issues identified during TOR preparation, environmental screening and field survey are project related changes on biodiversity. Maintenance of biological diversity has a long-term benefit to the human beings. Since, the proposed project will have less or on impacts on biodiversity biological environmental issues in relevance with the baseline environment conditions are briefly dealt in the following table in terms of type of impacts (long, medium and short term) significance of impacts (high, medium and low ) and initiation of impacts ( construction and operation phase).

Table 14: Biological Environmental Issues and Impacts Issue Impacts Direct / Extent Duration Magnitude Initiation indirect Population • Resettlement D Local Short L C • Relocation Forest/ • Loss of vegetation from D Local Short L C Vegetation clearance of structure sites, water supply transmission and distribution lines. Terrestrial • Loss of terrestrial fauna D Local Short L C

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

fauna and and habitat due to habitat project sitting and related activities Aquatic • Loss of aquatic life and D Local Short L C ecosystem habitat due to addition of and life turbidity in water due to soil erosion

Note: D= Direct impacts I= Indirect Impacts L= Low Impacts M= Moderate Impacts H= High impacts C=Construction Phase O= Operation (Commissioning) Phase

216. The parts of the project area where construction activities will take place do not lie within forest area. The project components require a very small area of land for implementation; environmental impacts on the vegetation and natural ecosystem do not seem to be significant.

iii. Socio-economic Environment

• Disturbance to the community activities 217. The socio-economic impact during the construction of the project structures include disturbance to the community activities, festivals and social event. The free movement of vehicular traffic and pedestrians will be affected. Noise produced due to the operation of machines and labors may affect the peace and serenity, health and sleep time in the neighbourhood of construction areas. 218. In order to minimize the disturbance to the community activities, a detailed Traffic Management Plan will be developed for areas along the construction works to minimize traffic flow interference from construction activities. Advance local public notifications of construction activities, schedules, routings, and affected areas including road closures will be made. Signage in Nepali and English languages will be erected. The residents will be consulted and informed about the disturbances in advance.

• Social Dispute and Dissatisfaction 219. There is possibility of influx of outside workforce and with them money from the construction work and unwanted communities can cause some strife with the local community. Local population may not get employment benefit from the project causing dissatisfaction and conflict in the area. There is possibility of social dispute in the community due to irresponsible behaviour of the workers such as gambling and alcoholism

220. An employment policy will be prepared so that the local people may not be deprived of the employment opportunities. The local people and women above the age of 16 will be given preference for employment. Wages will be settled based on DWEC (District Wage Evaluation Committee) with the list of employees.

• Occupational health and safety (OHS) 221. Life and health of workers particularly of those involved in concreting, trench cutting, formwork and rebar fixing in water tanks and other structures are of prime concern. To mitigate or minimize the hazards adequate safety instructions should be provided to the contractor and monitor from the project side.

222. Health and hygiene in the camp site (against unsafe working conditions, accidents, transmission of communicable diseases etc.) will be given top priority. Regular health checkups, proper sanitation and hygiene, health care will be provided. Awareness programs concerning human trafficking and

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

the possibility of spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS will be launched using brochures, posters, and signboards. Available personal protection equipment (PPE) to all construction workers will be provided. The loss of life or any type of injuries will be compensated and insurance to the workers will be provided. First aid kits, ambulance, and fire extinguishers will be provided in camp sites.

223. To avoid risks from accidents on site due to the movement of public and workers, the health and safety measures of the contract will also prohibit entry at construction sites to the public and the area will be barricaded and warning signs will be placed.

c. Operation & Maintenance Phase

• Risk of contaminated water in the distribution system 224. There is risk of contamination of water to be distributed to the user due to inadequate operation and maintenance of the system thereby threatening the health of the whole population consuming the water.

225. The risks of contaminated water in the distribution system will be mitigated by developing water safety plan and providing training to operational human resources.

• Impact on aquatic life 226. Haphazard disposal of sediments from sedimentation tanks, grit chambers , water produced during cleaning of roughing filters and sand layer removal from slow sand filter from the treatment plant may affect the aquatic life by eventually finding its way to Nibuwa stream ( as these treatment units are located in the bank of Nibuwa stream).

227. To avoid the impact to the aquatic life, these should be disposed off only in designated areas and regular monitoring of the stream water quality should be done.

• Toxic chemical hazard 228. Bleaching Powder is toxic to humans and the workers will have to deal with it during operation of the system. Ingestions, inhalations, application to body parts, especially to such parts as eyes nose mouth are of extreme hazard to the workers handling chlorine and bleaching powder. 229. The storage, in-plant handling and dosages of bleaching powder will be addressed. Procedures and guidelines will be developed for its handling and first aid measures will be introduced for emergencies. Training on handling and on dosage of the chemicals will be given to the system staff.

d. Resettlement, relocation and compensation issue 230. The various system alternatives do not require resettlement of households or relocation. The major structures are to be constructed in the land possessed by WUSC. Similarly, the system network for the distribution of water will follow with in public property line. Therefore resettlement or relocation is not required.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 15: Evaluation of Anticipated Environmental Impacts Project Significance of the Impacts Anticipated Impacts Stage Type Magnitude Duration Water Supply Component Damage to utility lines, community services local Significant permanent and infrastructure

Risk of pollution of raw water (surface water) local small temporary Phase Pre-construction Pre-construction

Physical Environment Erosion and land surface disturbance local moderate Temporary

Damage to Existing Facilities local moderate temporary Air and Noise pollution local moderate temporary Impact due to quarrying local significant permanent Biological Environment Loss of vegetation local significant permanent Socio-economic Environment

Construction Phase Disturbance to community activities local moderate temporary Social dispute and dissatisfaction local moderate temporary Occupational Health and Safety local significant temporary Physical Environment Risk of contaminated water in the distribution local significant permanent system Biological Environment Impact on aquatic life regional small permanent Socio-Economic Environment Toxic chemical hazard local significant permanent O & M Phase Repairs to pipe networks will disrupt business local small temporary and will be a nuisance to the public Sanitation Component Physical Environment Erosion and land surface disturbance local moderate temporary Biological Environment Loss of vegetation local significant permanent Phase Phase Socio-economic Environment

Construction Occupational Health and Safety local significant temporary Physical Environment Blocking of storm water drainage local small temporary Nuisance due to transportation of solid waste local moderate permanent Biological Environment Impact on aquatic life due to discharge of regional small permanent effluents

Operation and Operation Socio-economic environment

Maintenance Phase Maintenance Health hazard to workers due to cleaning of local significant permanent toilet, septic tank

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 16: Overview of Environmental Impacts and Augmentation/Mitigation Measures Impact Augmentation/ Mitigation Responsible Mitigation Project Stage Anticipated Impacts Measures Institution Cost(NRs) Beneficial Impacts Employment generation -Priority to local people particularly Contractor No extra cost and increase in income unprivileged group will be given - On job training will be given whenever necessary

Skill enhancement - On job training especially on Contractor No extra cost plumbing, bathroom fittings, and other construction activities will be given phase Enterprise development - Training programmes on skill PMO 50,000 Construction and business promotion augmentation and entrepreneurship development - Promotion of cooperatives and linkages with bank and other financial institutions will be done Improvement in health - Regular operation and maintenance of WUSC No extra cost and saving of time the water supply and sanitation system

Development of market - Regular operation and maintenance of WUSC, No extra cost centre / Tourism area the water supply and sanitation system Municipality

Appreciation of land - Awareness programmes to the local WUSC, PMO No extra cost value people Operationand

Maintenance Phase Phase Maintenance Women empowerment - Health and awareness programmes to WUSC, PMO 60,000 the local people and NGO

Adverse Impacts Water supply Component Damage to utility lines, - The location of project structures will DSC, DWSS No extra cost community services and avoid electric poles, power supply infrastructure structures and infrastructures - Letter of approval and agreements will be obtained Risk of pollution of raw Properly protected intake and storage DSC No extra cost water (Surface water) tanks will be constructed and distribution pipe will be located away from drains (to avoid infiltration of

Phase drain water) Risk of inadequate - A yield monitoring program, will be DSC, DWSS No extra cost

Pre-construction Pre-construction yield; and shortage of developed, especially for the abstraction surface water percentage during dry season flow - Project will be redesigned with alternative water source if the proposed abstraction rate exceeds sustainable yield.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Erosion and land -Precautionary measures will be taken Contractor Covered in surface disturbance during construction to avoid caving BOQ -Excavated soil will be placed against erosion -Reuse of excavated soil and backfilling of trenches will be done -As far as possible construction activities will be avoided in the rainy season. -Temporary diversions and signboards will be provided for the pedestrians Air and Noise pollution -Construction materials will be Contractor No extra cost transported only when require and temporary storage will be avoided -Tarpaulins/plastic sheets/jute bags will be used to cover the desilted material during transport. -Dust suppression at the site will be done by sprinkling water at regular intervals. -Use of old and worn out equipment and vehicles, low quality fuel will be prohibited to reduce the noise and air pollution Impact due to quarrying -Unstable and erosion prone sites will Contractor, Covered in be avoided and only approved DSC BOQ quarrying sites will be used -Quarrying activities from rivers/streams will not be done so as to Phase change the river cross sections and Construction longitudinal profiles -Quarry site will be levelled to suit the local landscape after extraction is complete Loss of vegetation - Prohibit the use of fuel wood and Contractor Covered in timber collection. BOQ -Prohibit illegal collection of NTFPs and trade. -Provide LPG/kerosene to the workforce. -Plant shrubs and trees wherever possible Disturbance to -Traffic Management Plan will be Contractor No extra cost community activities developed and work will be conducted as quickly as possible to minimize disturbance -Residents will be consulted and informed about the disturbances in advance Social dispute and -Local people will be given priority for Contractor No extra cost dissatisfaction the employment - All the workers will be instructed to act in a responsible manner Prohibition of alcohol, gambling Local people will be employed as far as possible

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Occupational Health -A site health and safety plan including Contractor 100,000 and Safety safety measures such as provision of (Covered in mask, helmet, hand globes and rubber BOQ) boots to workers will be prepared and implemented -First aid will be kept at hand in

Phase Phase working area

Construction -General public will be excluded from all construction sites -Insurance will be provided to the workers Risk of contaminated -Regular testing and maintenance of the WUSC 100,000 water in the distribution aeration plant, pressure filter and PMO system chlorinator and testing of residual chlorine will be done on a routine basis and recorded -Regular water quality monitoring of water of the distribution system -System staff will be trained and supervised Impact on aquatic life -Regular monitoring of river water WUSC 50,000 quality Operation and and Operation

Maintenance Phase Maintenance Toxic chemical hazard -Usage, handling and storage of WUSC 50,000 chlorine will be prescribed and guidelines developed -First aid measures will be located in emergencies Sanitation Component Erosion and land -Disposal against erosion and re-use of Contractors No extra cost surface disturbance excavated soil -Sprinkling of water to avoid dust -Temporary diversions and signboards will be provided to the pedestrians Loss of vegetation -Provision of minimization of Contractor No extra cost vegetation clearing and careful cutting WUSC

Phase Phase of ground vegetation

Construction -Plantation of tree and shrub where ever possible Occupational Health -A site health and safety plan will be Contractor No extra cost and Safety prepared and implemented

Blocking of storm water -Periodic flushing of the drain lines will WUSC No extra cost drainage be done -Providing awareness to local on not to dump waste on drainage Nuisance due to -Waste sorting and disposal will be WUSC No extra cost transportation of solid managed PMO waste Proper transportation systems will be provided (waste will be properly covered in the vehicle) Nuisance Application of lime powder @ 1 kg per WUSC, Rs 10,000 per odour from 3 sqm. Municipality year sludge drying Whenever sludge is applied in drying bed bed Located at forest area with sufficient buffer zone .

Operation and Maintenance Phase Phase Maintenance and Operation Percolation of waste Double layer of 500 micron plastic WUSC, water from drying bed sheets and 150 mm thick clay lining Municipality are applied for the prevention

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

3. Implementation of Mitigation Measures

231. Most of the mitigation measures specified are part of contractual obligation during the project constructions and therefore will be integrated into project design and tender documents. By including mitigation measures in the contract of in specific items in the Bill of Quantities, monitoring and supervision of mitigation implementation will be covered under the normal engineering supervision provisions of the contract. The mitigation measures implementation elaborated in Table 17 will be monitored through direct observation, records of contractors, consultation with people etc. weekly or daily as required.

a. Project Design 232. For most of the adverse environmental impacts likely to occur during project construction and operational phase, mitigation measures will be integrated in the design of the project itself so as to strengthen the benefits and sustainability of the project. This will enhance the mitigation measures in terms of specific mitigation design, cost estimation of the mitigation measure, and specific implementation criteria. The proponent will ensure that the mitigations measures are included in the design of the project

b. Project Contract 233. The project contract will clearly specify the mitigations measures that are part of the project construction and the contractor will be bound by the parameters identified in the environmental assessment pertaining to specific mitigation measures. The proponent will ensure the compliance of the proposed measures from the contractor and the final acceptance of the completed work will not occur until the environmental clauses have been satisfactorily implemented.

c. Bill of Quantities 234. The tender instruction to the bidders will explicitly mention the site-specific mitigation measures to be performed, the materials to be used, labour camp arrangements, and waste disposal areas, as well as other site specific environmental requirements.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

E. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES WITH AND WITHOUT PROJECT

235. The alternatives analysis of the project in terms of project location, technology, implementation procedures, and the raw materials used have been studied and analysed. Similarly, comparison between with and without project or the "No project option" is also studied and analysed.

1. Alternative in Design

236. The proposed project has been formulated to provide reliable and continuous drinking water supply in adequate quantity and quality to the consumers of the service area. The project has been designed using surface sources of Nibuwa ,Tankhuwa and other presently operating sources like Aitabare, Lungdang , Charchare etc. No other reliable gravity sources were found around and vicinity of project area. Next reliable source is Tamor, which required 1000 m of pumping and 2.4 km of transmission line. This has been estimated to be Rs 35 million.

237. The present project is designed with due consideration of these aspects and thus the proposed design has no alternative

2. Alternative in Project Site/Location

238. No significant adverse environmental impacts are found with present location of project. The proposed surface intakes at Nibuwa /Tankhuwa and new reservoirs have been proposed at appropriate sites from technical consideration and in consultation with the user group where no or minimum environmental effects will be seen. The alignments of pipelines are also fixed with minimum impacts on environment.

239. The intake in the Nibuwas and Tankhuwa streams are of small weir type (1.0m height) .Water from Tankhuwa gravitates to Nibuwa and then collectively pumped to reservoir located at 665m high for distribution. Additional source to serve the service area are existing gravity sources of Aitebare, Lungdang and Chhharchare streams. The location of the proposed intakes, were finalized on the basis of geo-hydrological requirements.

240. The location of structures especially the intake, treatment units, ground reservoirs, and distribution pipe line will be retained as decided during interaction with WUSC and beneficiaries. Therefore, the proposed location of the project has no alternatives

3. Alternative in Technology, Implementation Procedure and Raw Materials

241. Most of the technologies proposed in the project are labour intensive. Minimum mechanical equipment will be used during construction work. Ground reservoirs, treatment units, pipe line laying, excavation and refilling work are some of the major components of project. All these work will be done by labour force without any mechanical equipment except in the case of track opening work for 700 m leading to intake site. Obviously, this action will produce some environmental impacts. However, precautions will be taken and adequate protective measures will be applied for the working persons at and nearby this site.

242. The working procedures proposed are participatory one. In each and every activities of the project, the beneficiaries will be participating actively. The project will use the local raw materials as far as possible. Except for some mechanical equipment necessary for pipe fitting materials, most of the construction materials will be local. The sand, stones and labours are some of the examples.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

4. No Project Option

243. The analysis has also been done with and without project scenario. Implementation of proposed project will create lot of positive impacts on health and hygiene of people, public environment and improve socio-economic status of community as well. Provision of good quality water and sanitation facilities will help to enhance the quality of life of the people in the project area. The project will also help to create job opportunities to considerable number of people. The implementation of the proposed project will produce only negligible and insignificant environmental impacts.

244. On the other hand, if the project is not implemented, the people of the project area will have to continue to suffer from various problems they are facing currently. There is deficiency of drinking water in project site. People are forced to use the ground water using hand pumps and shallow dug wells. This water contains biological impurities. Due to polluted water and unhygienic environment, the community is facing water borne diseases every year as earlier pointed out in Figure 2.6

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

F. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION

1. Public Consultation

245. In order to ensure the public involvement, the following procedures were followed during IEE report preparation:

246. A 15 days public notice (Annex 3) was published on 20 Asadh 2070 BS (4 July 2013 AD) in the Rajdhani a national daily newspaper seeking written opinion from concerned Municipality, DDC, schools, health posts and related local organisations. A copy of the public notice was also affixed in the notice boards of the above mentioned organisations in the project area and deed of enquiry (muchulka) was collected (Annex4)

247. IEE team also discussed with the local communities and related stakeholders like Community Forest Users Groups, RSMO Dhankuta , WUSC etc. during field survey to collect their concerns and suggestions. 248. A consultative meeting was held in Aug 30, 2013 (2070 Bhadra 14 BS) at Dhankuta regarding the activities involved, proposed structures and other components of the project. In that meeting 26 consumer's representatives participated including 5 females.

249. The DSC representative explained about the construction activities, coverage area and explained regarding the impacts on environment. Queries regarding construction schedule, coverage, components of project, construction methodologies were raised by the participants. DSC representative explained and responded properly with the aid of drawings and figures. List of people attended and a copy of minutes of meeting is enclosed hereunder Annex 7.

2. Information Disclosure

250. Draft IEE will be kept at the information centre of Dhankuta Municipality , Dhankuta for public disclosure. Information will also be disseminated through person to person contacts and interviews and group discussions. Available institutions at the local level will also be informed through notice distribution or pasting on notice boards of the concerned ward offices, school, health posts and public places. The approved IEE report will be accessible to interested parties and general public through websites www.sstwsssp.gov.np. Following offices will get the IEE report: • Dhankuta Municipality , Dhankuta, Koshi • Regional Supervision and Monitoring Office (RSMO), Dhankuta • Ministry of Urban Development, Kathmandu • Asian Development Bank, Nepal Resident Mission

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

G. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM

251. The projects also aim to facilitate a grievance and redress mechanism to address the environmental and social concern of the community who are affected by the project activities. The proposed project doesn’t involve resettlement of any community, and a Resettlement Plan that addresses the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is not necessary. However, all the stakeholders are to be made aware of the project-specific GRM so that there is an appropriate channel of communication and a formalized procedure to settle dispute. Town Project Coordination Committee (TPCC) chaired by Mayor of Dhankuta Municipality will act as GRM Committee for this project. Details of members are mentioned below:

Mayor, Dhankuta Municipality: Chairperson Executive Officer, Dhankuta Municipality: Member Regional Director, Regional Monitoring and Supervision Office (RMSO) ,Dhankuta Member Representative ,WUSC, Dhankuta Member

252. The process requires a GRM committee to be established as a local level to assure accessibility to the Affected Person or Stakeholder. The committee should consist of members with sufficient knowledge about the project, with technical know-how and expertise and someone aware about the socio-cultural dynamics of the community. The GRM requires that issues and comments are first lodged with the local level GRM committee for handling of grievances at project site. The GRM committee should conduct their meeting within 3 weeks of receipt of complaint and solution needs to be provided at meeting or within 3 weeks.

253. If the grievance cannot be solved at the project level, the GRM committees need to submit it to the PMO. The PMO with assistance from the Safeguards Specialists and WUSC experts should resolve the grievance. If the grievance cannot be solved by the PMO, it will be referred to the Dhankuta Municipality and RSMO , Dhankuta.

254. In case the RSMO, Dhankuta cannot resolve the issues it will be referred to the relevant court of law.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Figure 3: Grievance Redress Mechanism

Affected Person

Grievance / Complaint

GRM Committee

PMO Redress Grievances

Safeguards Specialists WUSC

Municipality + RSMO / DWSS

Court of Law

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

H. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. Environment Management Plan and Objective

255. The basic objectives of the EMP are to: • to ensure that all mitigation measures and monitoring requirements will actually be carried out at different stages of project implementation and operation - pre-construction, construction and operation and maintenance; • recommend a plan of action and a means of testing the plan to meet existing and projected environmental problems; • establish the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the project’s environmental management; • describe mitigation measures that shall be implemented to avoid or mitigate adverse environmental impacts and maximizing the positive ones; • ensure implementation of recommended actions aimed at environmental management and its enhancement; and • ensure that the environment and its surrounding areas are protected and developed to meet the needs of the local people, other stakeholders and safeguard the interests of the common people.

256. A Safeguard Unit within the project should be established and be headed by a senior environmental expert, a sociologist and a legal expert with adequate support staff.

2. Monitoring and Mitigation

257. The Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) shall be implemented in such a way that the contractor is monitored during the construction phase. The mitigation measures required are mentioned above. The EMP also requires regular monitoring of the actual environmental impacts during project operations over the years following project completion. These impacts that have been monitored should be compared with the anticipated impacts at the time of the preparation of the project and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures taken.

258. In order to promote monitoring activities as an integral part of the project, types of monitoring its indicators schedules and responsible agencies are given below:

Baseline monitoring Compliance monitoring Impact monitoring

259. Baseline monitoring aims to identify collect and verify the additional environmental base line data, which is scientific or sociological in nature and needed to augment information on baseline conditions initially generated during IEE. In case of water supply sub-project most of the baseline data has already been collected and there is very little chance for its change till the implementation phase. Hence it will not be necessary to conduct it unless some striking new scenarios in terms of physical or socio-economic conditions emerge.

260. Compliance monitoring is essential in order to encourage and promote the proponent to comply with the requirements as listed in the mitigation measures and any condition set forth during the project approval. Hence it is desirable to ensure the integration of mitigation measures in the

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

document, if any, which should fully reflect environment obligation to be complied with by the proponent or the contractor.

261. Impact monitoring is necessary in order to know the actual level of impact in the field during the construction and operation of the project in the alignment as the environmental impacts are predicted based on value judgment through with some valid assumptions.

262. The Monitoring Plan will be designed in a way that the contractor is monitored to ensure that the mitigation measures are followed during the construction period. It also requires regular and periodic monitoring of the actual environmental impacts during the project operation over the years following project completion. A detailed monitoring plan giving the mechanisms of monitoring for the environmental impact and the mitigation measures are given in the following table.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 17: Water Supply: Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures –

Pre-Construction Environmental Monitoring Plan

Predicted Monitoring Monitoring Impacts Indicators Location Responsibility Method Frequency

Physical Parameters Pollution in Defecation Up-reach of Water quality Once before WUSC, intake around intake Nibuwa , monitoring reports final design WSSDO, DSC Tankhuwa of the and and other source/intake construction; Water ponding existing water once a year nearby intake sources / (every dry intake (Safe intake sites season) with minimum risk of pollution shall be selected. Intake protection measures shall be take)

Scarcity of Less flow of Intake Monitor up stream Every week WUSC, DSC water in dry water in dry of intake whether in dry season season season others have diverted water for other purpose.

Measure flow every month Infiltration of Intake sites Checking Once before WUSC,DSC drain water due Water pondings and along the ponding, final design to ponding etc. distribution Leakage and pipelines construction; Water quality monthly monitoring reports of the water in the network as per the National Drinking Water Quality Standards (2062 B.S.)

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 18: Water Supply: Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures – Construction Period Environmental Monitoring Plan Predicted Monitoring Monitoring Impacts Indicators Location Responsibility Method Frequency

Physical Parameters Disturbance to Excavation Construction Direct observation Daily during Contractor the land system technique site and record construction DSC and soil inspection erosion Soil disposal area

Stacking of soil

Quarrying Quarrying Quarry site Direct Once DWSS activity observation and DSC Local aesthetics contractor records

Air and Noise Use of equipment Construction Record inspection Weekly DWSS pollution and vehicles and DSC Operation WUSC Quality of fuel site

Sprinkling of water Use of mufflers Biological Parameters Loss of Cleared area Construction Observation and Weekly Contractor vegetation site record inspection WUSC No of trees/shrubs planted Impact on Increase in Construction Record inspection Monthly WUSC aquatic animals turbidity in water site DWSS (due to erosion of loosely deposited excavated soils) Socio-economic Parameters Problems from Behaviour of the Project area Record inquiry Monthly and Contractor outside workers as needed WUSC workforce Local survey Uses of alcohol Records of fights Communication with people

Disturbance to Use of Project area Record inquiry Weekly Contractor the local signboards, notice Communication WUSC people board with people

Disposal area Occupational Type and number Construction File record Daily DWSS Health and of accidents site Safety First aid and emergency services 64

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 19: Water Supply: Anticipated Impacts and Mitigation Measures – Operation and Maintenance Environmental Monitoring Plan Predicted Monitoring Monitoring Responsibilit Impacts Indicators Location Method Frequency y

Physical Parameters Water quality Water quality Treatment Check if O&M As needed WUSC problems - tests, such as, plants and manuals are Training and temperature, pH. household followed; regular operational Electric taps updating of staff supervision of Conductivity, on the system staff Total Dissolved requirements Solids, Total Suspended Solids, (Regular O&M of Turbidity, etc. chlorinators - Regular water Complaint of quality monitoring water borne of water in the diseases distribution system - Immediate action in case of water quality problems - Training and operational supervision of system staff )

Drinking Water Water leak in Streets, Frequent and Weekly , WUSC leakages from streets or other distribution regular walk as and when pipes places camp etc. away survey, required Complain from users

Waster Water Nuisance Odour, smell Sludge drying Smell/odour, Application of WUSC, odour from bed public and lime powder Municipality sludge drying workers @ 1 kg per 3 bed comments, sqm. Whenever required

3. Environmental Monitoring Cost

263. Monitoring cost has been estimated for 18 months of construction period. The monitoring will be conducted on physical, biological and socio-economic aspects. So the cost has covered all these parameters.

264. During post construction phase, monitoring will be done on water quality, maintenance system and outbreak of diseases.

265. Most of the monitoring cost for the proposed project is related to the expenses for experts for observation and monitoring during construction and operation phases of the project. The following monitoring costs are to be incurred by the project. 65

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 20: Monitoring Costs

S.No Item Duration Rate Cost (NRs) (Month) 1 Environmental Management 2.5 85,000 212,500 Specialist 2 Sociologists 1.5 60,000 90,000 3 Support Staff 2 25,000 50,000 4 Cost for monitoring by MoUD LS 300,000 / DWSS 5 Transportation LS 60,000 6 Miscellaneous LS 40,000 7 Health Awareness Campaign LS 100,000 8 Training to WUSC members LS 75,000 Total 927,500.00

4. Environmental Procedures and Institutions

266. Institutions have a crucial role to play during monitoring. There should be firm institutional commitment by the agencies responsible for monitoring. The Ministry of Environment (MOE) is in charge of environmental control and management for all sector agencies. The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) will have overall responsibility for environmental monitoring of all water supply and sewerage projects. In case of an EIA, it has to be finally approved by MOE. In case of an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), the final approval lies with MoUD.

267. The different agencies involved in the Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project are as explained in the following table.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Table 21: Institutions Involved in the Proposed Project

S.N Organization Roles and Responsibilities 1. Ministry of Urban Development It is the executive agency for the implementation of Second (MoUD) Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project(SSTWSSSP). It is responsible for monitoring of project design, construction and operation activities according to the approved IEE report. It is also responsible for approving the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the IEE and approving the IEE studies. 2. Department of Water Supply and DWSS is the implementing agency for the SSTWSSSP. It is Sewerage (DWSS) responsible for ensuring that all the environmental measures to be adopted during different phases of project implementation and operation have been fully adhered to. It is also responsible for water quality monitoring. 3. Project Management Office (PMO) PMO under DWSS implements the project. It ensures that all the mitigation measures prescribed by approved IEE have been fully adopted. It acquires permits and approval for project construction and assists WUSC on source registration and transfer of land ownership. It also ensures that responsibilities of other stakeholders are incorporated as per agreements. 4. Town Development Fund (TDF) TDF provides funding to the WUSC. It ensures that necessary environmental screening and assessments have been carried out during the funding decisions. 5. Water User and Sanitation WUSC is responsible for forming member based water user Committee (WUSC) group and registering it. It is responsible for ensuring the implementation of environmental measures recommended especially during the construction and operation phase. Activities such as public awareness on sanitation and maintaining record of the water quality data are some of its responsibilities. 6. Design and Supervision Consultant DSC is responsible for conducting the feasibility study and (DSC) detailed design and construction supervision. It ensures that all the mitigation measures are incorporated in the final design of the system and the environmental prescriptions are being met by the construction contractor. 7. Contractor It is responsible to ensure that the mitigation measures are implemented during the construction

268. Apart from the above mentioned agencies, there are other institutions that are directly and indirectly involved in the project and during the IEE studies. Local bodies such as Dhankuta Municipality help in disseminating information about the project to local people and related stakeholders and in giving permits to conduct the IEE studies.

5. Reporting Procedure

269. The contractor has a crucial role in ensuring that the mitigation measures are implemented during project construction phase. The contractor will develop an Environmental Mitigation Execution Plan (EMEP) based on EMP. The contractor has to report weekly about the progress of its work together with day-to-day practical aspect of project implementation to the DSC. It is suggested that a team comprising of WUSC member and contract workers be established at the onset of the project to make periodic reporting to the DSC.

270. The DSC then is responsible for ensuring that all the procedures and final design that includes the mitigation measures are followed. DSC is responsible to check the weekly progress report of the contractor and field verify whether the implementation of mitigation measures have been conducted as decided in the EMEP or not.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

271. DSC then will prepare an environmental monitoring report based on the weekly progress report of the contractor. DSC will report the status of the project and the monitoring report to the PMO for its review. PMO will then forward the monitoring report to review by the Environmental Specialist of the DSC. 10 copies of the reports will be submitted to PMO every month, which will be distributed to the responsible agencies for review. The Environmental Specialists of the DSC will then review the comments and suggestions from the various authorities and act accordingly.

272. Monthly progress reports, including bi-annual and annual reports on the implementation of EMP will be produced on a regular basis. The report will contain information of all the activities conducted within the given time including the cases of non-compliance. A feedback mechanism of reporting will be developed and based on the results of monitoring; the Environmental Management Plan will be adjusted accordingly.

6. Procurement Plan and Cost Estimates

273. The cost for the recommended mitigation measures and monitoring activities are described in Table 18-20. Cost of mitigation measures directly linked to the construction activities (such as erosion control measures) are not included in the cost estimates as most of these are already included in the construction and operation and maintenance cost of the project.

7. Project Implementation Schedule

274. During the design phase PMO and the consultant will ensure that mitigation measures are included in the design and contract documents in compliance with Environment Protection Act and Regulations.

275. During the construction phase the parties involved will ensure that all mitigation measures and precautions that are required to be taken by the contractor are written explicitly. DSC and WUSC will be responsible for monitoring works carried out by the contractor.

276. During the operation phase, DWSO, and WUSC will monitor the system for leakage, water quality, pump maintenance and disease outbreak etc. and prepare a monthly report to be sent to DWSS via the Regional Directorate.

277. The EMP implementation schedule is given in following figure for a period of 18 months.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Figure 6: Implementation Schedule of the Project Months Activities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 …………………… 43 Tendering + Award of Contract

Presentation of Security Performances

contract Field Mobilization Approval of of Approval Tendering + + Tendering

Procurement of Materials

Transportation of Materials

Structural Works

Installation Works

Piping Works

Mechanical + Electrical Works

Sludge Drying Bed

osrcin/Poue ent Procurem / Construction Finishing Works

Operation Phase (12 months)

69 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

I. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

278. The planned water supply and sanitation project for Dhankuta Municipality will have only minor adverse impacts on the environment which can be easily and with lost costs mitigated through appropriate mitigation measures and regular monitoring during the design, construction and operation phases.

279. A significant improvement is expected in personal, household and community level hygiene practices, and environmental sanitation thereby increasing the quality of life and community health.

280. No adverse or harmful impacts of any significance are likely and a full scale EIA is not required.

70 Annex-1: Terms of Reference

SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

Table of Contents Acronyms 1. Organization preparing the Terms of Reference .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 1 2. Description of the Project .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 1 2.1. General .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 1 2.2. Component of the Town Project .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 2 2.2.1. Water Source .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 2 2.2.2. Capital Cost of Water Supply Facilities .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 5 2.2.3. Sanitation Improvement .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 5 2.2.4. Capital Cost for Sanitation Improvement .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 6 2.3. Salient Features of the proposed Project .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 6 2.4. Physical Environment of the Project Area .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 9 i. Geophysical Profile .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 9 ii. Ecological Profile .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 9 iii. Human and Economic Development .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 11 iv. Land Use Planning .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 11 2.5. Existing Water Supply Situation .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 11 2.6. Resettlement, Relocation and Compensation Issue .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 12 2.7. Relevancy of the project proposal .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 12 2.7.1. Threshold Limits for Conducting IEE .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 12 3. Approach and Methodology to be adopted while preparing the report . ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 13 3.1. Public Consultation Program and Public Notice .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 13 3.2. Data Analysis and Report Preparation .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 14 4. Policies, laws, rules and manuals to be taken into account while preparingthe report . ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 14 5. Time Schedule for IEE Study .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 15 5.1. Resource Persons .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 15 6. Anticipated Impact of the Project .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 15 6.1. Physical Impacts .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 16 6.2. Biological Impacts .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 16 6.3. Socio-Economic and Cultural Impacts .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 17 7. Analyses of Alternatives to the Proposed Project .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 17 8. Mitigation Measures .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 17 9. Matters to be monitored while implementing the Project .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 18 9.1. Environmental Management Plan .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 18 9.2. Environmental Monitoring Plan .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 19 9.3. Information Disclosure, public Consultation and Participation . ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 19 9.4. Grievance Redress Mechanism .ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 20

10. IEE Report Contents/Format . ＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮＮ 20

✁ ✁✂✄☎ ✆✝✞ ✟✠✁✡☛

SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

1. Organization preparing the Terms of Reference

The Environmental Protection Regulation 1997 (amended in 2007) mentions that a Terms of Reference (TOR) for an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is required.

This Terms of Reference (TOR) has been prepared in order to carry out an IEE for Dhankuta Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Dhankuta district. The proposed proponent is the Project Management Office (PMO), Second Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (SSTWSSSP) of Department of Sanitation &Sewerage (DWSS), Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), and Government of Nepal (GoN) is responsible for the preparation of IEE report. Name and address of the proponent is given below:

Name of the Proponent:

Project Management Office Second Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Ministry of Urban Development Government of Nepal

Address of the Proponent:

Panipokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone: 4423848, 4412348 Fax: 4413280 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sstwsssp.gov.np

2. Description of the Project

2.1. General

The Second Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (SSTWSSSP) has been designed with the principles of community management, making it demand responsive and adopting a participatory approach. The project is being implemented under ADB financing in about 20 small towns where inadequate water supply and sanitation have already affected the health and quality of life of the people. The Water Users and Sanitation Committee (WUSC) plays a major role in the implementation of the project. WUSC contributes 50% of project cost of which 5-15% will be in the form of upfront cash and 35-45 % will be in the form of a loan from the Town Development Fund (TDF). 50% of the project cost will be contributed by Nepal Government.

The proposed Dhankuta Town Supply Project is located at the Dhankuta Municipality in Dhankuta district of Koshi zone. The location is 260 58’29.27” North latitude and 870 20’36.51” East longitude having altitude 1169m to 1560m above mean sea level and covers ward no 2 to 7 of Dhankuta Municipality.

Dhankuta Municipality was established in 1979 AD and is situated in Koshi zone of Eastern Development Region of Nepal. It is serving as a regional and district administrative head quarter. The town lies along the Dharan – Dhankuta highway (Koshi highway). The highway, constructed almost

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

three decades ago, has enhanced accessibility with terai and other parts of the country. The road is connected to Bhojpur, Tehrathum and Sankhuwasbha district. It is a historical district having the religious and cultural places. 2.2. Component of the Town Project

Dhankuta Town Project under Second Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (SSTWSSSP) has been promoted to provide safe and reliable water supply with reasonable cost to the consumer of the town area. The designated service area for the project is the part of ward numbers 2-7 of municipality. The total area covered by the project is 265.13 hectare. In some places structures like stream intakes, slow sand filter, roughening filters and reservoirs are in operation. These existing structures are to be utilized. Because of land topography, settlement patterns and existing water supply structures, the project area has been sub divided into four different subsystems, so that each part is served by its own water supply system. These are stated below:

i.) Nigale Subsystem covering part of ward 2 ii.) Schooldanda subsystem covering parts of wards 3 and 4 iii.) Salleri subsystem covering part of wards 5and 6 iv.) Chuliban (Dadagaon) subsystem parts of ward 7 2.2.1. Water Source

a) Source Location, type and required yield The designated sources to serve the service area are existing surface sources namely Tindhobhane source, Aitabare and Lungdang as gravity sources and combination of Nibuwa and Tankhuwa stream has pumping scheme. Location of existing major three sources are situated in ward no 1, almost 13 Km north of Dhankuta Bazaar. Nibuwa stream is located at eastern boarder of the municipality. 10 lps of water from Tankhuwa stream, which lies at 6.8 km distant from Nibuwa, will be collected. A Pumping Transmission main requiring 2.2 km in length and 665 of head is to be developed from Nibuwa stream. Table 2.1: Expected yields of proposed sources

S. No. Source Type Expected Remarks Discharge (lps) 1 Chuliban Gravity 1.17 In Operation 2 Aitabare Gravity 2.07 In Operation 3 Tindhobhane Gravity 5.22 In Operation 4 Nibuwa + Tankhuwa Pumping 16.0 Proposed Total 24.46

Nigale and School danda subsystem will be catered by Chuliban and Aitabare sources respectively. These existing gravity sources are yielding 1.17 and 2.07 respectively.For monsoon season the entire system will run from these gravity sources. A pipe to carry additional discharge from Aitabare WUSC has already been laid to discharge 4 lps in monsoon season and is in operation.Considering the scarcity of water in dry season 10 lps of water from Tankhuwa, down at the bank of Nibuwa will be collected. The total of 16 lps will be pumped jointly from Tankhuwa and Nibuwa. Both of these are water fed streams and are perennial.

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

b) Reservoirs , storage tank The total storage requirement for the system at the end of design period i.e. 2030 is calculated as 595 m3 for Dhankuta. There are already few ground water tanks and will be used for the proposed project. Existing and additional reservoir required to cater the demand in 2030 is given in the table below:

Table 2.2: Required Reservoirs

S.No. Subsystem Reservoir Existing/Proposed Area to be Sizes (m3 ) Type distributed 1 Nigale 20 Ground Existing Tallo sifting Reservoir 20 do Existing Mathillo sifting 20 do Existing Syaule 20 do Proposed Syaule 2 School 50 Do Existing Amaltar, Adhikari Danda Basti etc. Subsystem 20 Do Existing Tallo Atmara 20 do Existing Mathillo Atmara 3 Salleri 300 do proposed Main bazaar etc. SubSystem 4 Chuliban 125 do proposed Dadagaon, Madan SubSystem chowk etc. TOTAL 595

c) Transmission mains The existing gravity sources are in a distance of about 13 km from the bazaar. For these sources about 41 km of transmission mains are in operation. Though these are GI (Chuliban Source) and HDPE (other two sources) are functioning well. Other required is from Tankhuwa to Nibuwa from where water collected down to Nibuwa. HDPE pipes of 125 mm size of class 6 Kg/cm2 is proposed. From Nibuwa River to Schooldanda where 665 pumping head is needed, GI pipes of size 150 mm is proposed as the site bears steep slope and rocky zone. Most of the pipe line shall be above the ground and suitable support pillars shall be provided.

d) Treatment facilities There already exists conventional filter plant (Slow Sand Filter - SSF). Considering the workmanship, and technical knowledge conventional treatment have been designed accordingly and consist of sedimentation tank, slow sand filter and disinfecting unit. The existing SSF is located at School danda with the capacity of 18 lps has been used. Similarly other two treatment units with the capacity of 2 lps are also required. The following table summarizes the capacity required

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

Table 2.3: Treatment units: capacity and numbers required

S.No Sub system Source type Treatment type Numbers 1 Nigale Gravity SSF 2 lps required 2 School danda Gravity SSF 2 lps required 3 Salleri Gravity SSF 15 lps existing 4 Pumping 16 lps ( Roughing To be constructed filter, proposed Existing SSF at school dada will be utilized

e) Electrical Facilities/Pumps

The 11 KV line is available at a distance of 2 km from water intake point, ie. Nibuwa river source. There is no problem and constrain to get power from main line. As discussed above 11KV high tension electric power line shall be provided in each pumping station which shall be converted with appropriate capacity distribution transformer to TPN 415 V/220 V and shall be used to operate station lighting.

Generator Facility system is also included in each pumping station.

f) Distribution main The distribution system consists of pipe network, which are lopped in most of the cases, and branched for some. The network has been analyzed using EPANET – 2 computer program that performs extended period simulation of hydraulic and water quality behavior within pressurized pipe networks. It is one of the recent and quite popular water supply program software. The algorithm was originally developed by the Water Supply and Water Resources Division, Cincinnati, USA. The program contains commands for graphically laying out an existing or proposed pipe distribution network and performing a hydraulic analysis on that network. EPANET – 2 allows users to layout a water supply system from an Auto Cad drawing. The input elements include pipe, node, reservoir, valve and pumps. The system has been analyzed by the Hazen- Williams equation. The pipe network has been designed for ultimate scenario ie considering domestic demand as 65 lpcd. The reports include pressure, flow rate, flow velocity and hydraulic grade.

The entire system has been designed using High Density Polythene (HDP) pipes. The minimum pipe size used is 50mm. Altogether 57 km of distribution pipe network is proposed. g) House Connections The system has been designed, predominantly as house to house connections. Presently 1650 households are having piped water. Initially during construction phase, only 3130 house connections are provided to satisfy the need for the base year population.

h) Appurtenances These will primarily comprise of valve chambers or connection chambers to house in flow control valves for controlling flow in the pipeline and to the community / shared taps etc. Altogether 130 pipe valves covers and 37 valve chambers are designed in the system. Similarly, 35 numbers of connection chambers have been provided in places of dense population. The individual house connections will be tapped from these connection chambers provided at appropriate places, so that there is least number

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

of road cuttings during operation phase. The location of these chambers will be determined during the construction in consultation with WUSC. Refer Drawing for a typical house connection chamber.

i) Pump House Permanent pump houses are not provided as submersible pumps are proposed. Electrical panels are however are housed inside generator house.

j) Generator/operator House Three permanent generator/operator house for pumping scheme shall be constructed which will house in control panels, switch boards, water level sensor devices including room for operator. These are required for smooth operation and monitoring the system. Similarly a permanent generator room to accommodate the generator has been provided. In case of failure of power supply the generator shall be used to supply power to the pumps. Refer Drawing for details.

k) Store and Laboratory Building

A chemical store and laboratory building to house in requisite stores and small testing laboratory has been included in the project. Existing office building will be used for these facilities. 2.2.2. Capital Cost of Water Supply Facilities

The total project cost for water supply component of the proposed water supply project has been estimated to be Rs. 268.714 million. Physical contingency @ 5%, price contingency @10% and VAT @ 13% are all included. 2.2.3. Sanitation Improvement

a) Solid Waste Management Waste management is one of the key issues that have to be addressed to keep the environment clean. It has been observed that most of the inhabitants of the project area are not aware of the problem of solid wastes including health and hygiene. The project therefore proposes to conduct a number of training and awareness generating programs. People are found to dispose their waste by making pit in their garden,on site sanitation program is suitable for these area. Training program focusing on Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of waste will be conducted. Similarly kitchen and bathroom waste water could be managed by developing simple soak pit in the kitchen garden. A sanitary land fill site is located in Atmara ward no 3 of Dhankuta Municipality has an area of 47Ropani (24,000 m2) of land and is expected to cater 30 years. It was constructed in 2010 AD with the cooperation of GoN-LGCDP, users group and municipality.

For the collection of solid waste from market area municipality has engaged a tractor to pick up the waste. Similarly, few hand carts (wheel barrows) and collection bins (115 ltrs capacity) are proposed. b) Waste water Management People are found to manage waste water by collecting in the pit and using in irrigation purpose for kitchen garden. Within years to come, however in the bazaar area management of waste water may be required. But still for some years to come a simple sludge drying bed will be better. Stone masonry

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

structure with gravel packing is proposed. Gravel packing will enhance to percolate moisture and dry sludge quicker. Dried sludge can be sold to the farmers as organic fertilizer. While drying sludge leachate is produced and thus a lined circular soak pit has been proposed to manage the same. The outer side of the soak pit will be lined with impervious material (clay + plastic lining) so as to infiltrate the water from the bottom of pit. Soak pit will be packed with brickbats, limestone, coal and sand in layers. Top of the soak pit will be covered with stone chips/ aggregate 2.2.4. Capital Cost for Sanitation Improvement

The total cost on the sanitation component has been estimated to be Rs. 13.434 million including VAT. 2.3. Salient Features of the proposed Project

S.NO. Items Description 1 Name of the Project Second Small Town Water Supply & Sanitation Sector Project, Dhankuta Town Project

2 Type Gravity &PumpingScheme 3 Study Level Detailed Engineering Design Report 4 Location Area Region Eastern Development Region Zone Koshi District Dhankuta VDC/Municipality Municipality Ward 2 to 7 5 Available Facilities Road Koshi Highway Airport Biratnagar, Morang Water Supply System Piped system & stream, springs Existing Electricity Available Communication Available Health Services Available Banking Facilities Available Biratnager- Dhankuta Distance 85 Km 6 Source Characteristics Source Name Nibuwa & Tankhuwa (proposed for Pumping Scheme) (stream intakes) Other spring sources for gravity system : Aitebare, Tindobhane, Lungdang (in operation)

Source Type Surface sources Source Location Ward # 1 for Gravity and Ward # 5 for Nibuwa and Tankhuwa VDC for Tankhuwa Stream

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

S.NO. Items Description Tapped yield (lps) Gravity :8.46 lps Pumping from Nibuwa : 16 lps Pumping Head 665 m

Pumping Head 665 m

Pumping hours: 19 hrs @ 16 lps Pumping station 3 nos 50 m3 reservoir for initial stage and 20m3 reservoir in other two stations

Pump type Submersible type 32 HP each with 2 # 32 HP in operation in each pumping station

Total Number of pumps Total 6 # of pumps (32 Hp) for transmission mains

Storage Tank Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Tallo Shifting Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Mathillo Shifting Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Syaule Proposed 20 m3 ground reservoir in Syaule Existing 50 m3 ground reservoir in School danda Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in School danda Existing 20 m3 ground reservoir in Schooldanda Proposed 300 m3 ground reservoir in Salleri Proposed 125 m3 ground reservoir in Chuliban

TOTAL 595 m3 of reservoir Intake Stream Intake 1.5m ht : 2# for Nibuwa and Tankhuwa streams Other existing operating intakes will be used

Valve Chamber (Nos.) 71 Community Stand Posts Nil Household Connection 3130 for base year 2015 (Nos.) Total Length of pipe (Km) Transmission : Existing: 41 km Pumping mains GI(150 mm dia) = 2.2 Km Tankhuwa to Nibuwa (HDPE 6kg class) : 7.85 km Distribution : 57.85 Km Electrical Generator-3, Transformer-3, 11 Kv Transmission 2.1 Km

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

S.NO. Items Description Treatment Unit Existing Conventional Treatment Plant with Sedimentation, SSF and Chlorination

Grit-chambers, Sedimentation, Roughening filters are proposed using existing SSF at Schooldanda for pumping scheme. 8 Social Status Present Population (2012) 15,139 Base Year Population (2015) 16,169 Design Year Population 22,475 (2030) Adopted Growth Rate % 2.22 (Average) Household Numbers (2012) 3130 Average Family Sizes 4.84 9 Total Water Demand Base year 2015 (m3/day) Total 1,270.73 Design year 2030 (m3/day) Total 1,766.31 10 Total Cost of the Project (NRs.) 282,148,471.72 with 15% contingencies & 13%VAT Water Supply Sector NRs 268,714,040.59 Sanitation Sector NRs 13,434,431.13 Sanitation Components a) equipment for Solid waste NRs 1,635,000.00 management b) Sludge Drying bed & Sludge NRs 2,901,542.00 Suction Tanker mounted on trailer c) Bio engineering works including NRs 6,202,990.00 plantation, wicker works etc d) Gabion protection works NRs 1,149,345.00

11 Cost Sharing Arrangement for 268,714,040.59 water supply component (NRs) a) GoN / ADB @ 50% NRs 134.357 million b) WUSC Contribution c) Users contribution @ 5% to 15 % NRs 13.44 to 40.31 million d) Loan through TDF @ 35% to 45% NRs 94.05 to 120.92

Cost Sharing Arrangement for 12 Sanitation component (NRs) NRs 13,434,431.13 a) ADB/ GON NRs 11.42 million b) Local body /users etc. NRs 2.014 million

13 Tariff ( at TDF 45 % financing) Rs. / Cum

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

S.NO. Items Description 0-10 Cum / month 52.00 11- 20 Cum / month 78.00 >20 cum / month 91.00 14 Economic / Financial FIRR 2.95 % EIRR 95.84 % AIEC 74.82 AIFC 60.61 15 Environment ADB Category Category B IEE finding No adverse effect, IEE required 16 Project Status Started January 2012.

2.4. Physical Environment of the Project Area

i. Geophysical Profile

Topography, Geology and Climate: Dhankuta Municipality is located at 26o 58’ 29.27” latitude and 870 20’36.51” longitude having altitude 1169 m to 2037m above mean sea level. Geologically, Dhankuta is in the Mahabharata range which has gneiss, granite gneiss, quartzite schist etc. as a rock type. Quartzite occasionally with limestone is also found. Structurally, the area is folded, faulted, and fractured

Being located in the middle in the mountain the climate is essentially warm temperate, sub-tropical. The temperature is mild both in summer and winter. The temperature varies from 20C in January and 340C in June. Average annual precipitation is expected to be 900mm. In the monsoon period at the months of June –August 75% of the rainfall occurs.

Surface and Ground Water:

The proposed project area is situated in between three rivers these are known as Tamor River, Nibuwa and Patle River. These are perennial and Tamor is the main river which flows from west boundary of Dhankuta municipality. Besides numerous perennial streams viz, Devikhola, Sisne Khola, Charchare, Raniban, Juke, Aitabareetc. are being used for the distribution of water. ii. Ecological Profile

Flora, Fauna and Protected Areas: Deforestation has decreased the flora of the project area but since the concept of community forests has been introduced, there has been an improvement in the forest cover. A forest area is on the south, west and north east portion of the Project area, and predominantly consists of Pine wood, Chilaune, Uttis, Karma and Shag. Wild animals like Monkeys, leopard, panther, and deer along with other animals are sometimes found in these forests. Common birds as house sparrow, peacock, crow, and jungle fowl are some of the bird species seen in the area.

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

Geo Hydrology

There are many small surface perennial sources in the area. The water is oozing out from springs. It indicates the presence of weak zone in the area. This weak zone may be in the form of faults, joints or fractured rocks as reported in the survey report of Department of Mines and Geology (DMG).

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

iii. Human and Economic Development

Population, Communities and Occupation:

The population of the project area is 15575 with the total number of households as 2567.The ethnic composition consists of Janajati and Brahmins/Chhetries. The dalit caste (Kami, Damai and Sarki) also shows their effective presence in the project area. The principle occupation of the people is agriculture. 44% of the people are engaged in agriculture followed by 31% business and 19% in service sector. Health and Sanitation:

Almost all the households of the project area have latrines. There is linear storm water drainage exists in market area but rest of the service area does not have drainage system. The general communicable diseases are common. General health conditions of the females are observed bad compared to the males. Economic Characteristics:

No specific area has been designated for industries. There are a few small scale industries as biscuit factory, rice mills, hotels and lodges. Agriculture is the main characteristics, the main product being cardamom, ginger and Amriso. Cash crops like green vegetables are also widely produced. Horticulture and livestock rising including poultry is practiced but not in a commercial scale. Infrastructural Facilities:

Project area is a part of Dhankuta municipality. It lies in the Koshi Highway connecting to Biratnagar, Sankhuwasbha, and Bhojpur.The project area has 13 km metaled road and 26 km of earthen road and 4 km of trail road. Most of the institutions and some private owners have telephone connections. It has electricity facilities and is connected to the 132 kV substation. There are 12 academic institutions in the service area. There are 22 government, semi government, and NGO and non-government offices. iv. Land Use Planning

A land use planning specially for the Government offices can be observed. Up to a certain extent zoning and bylaws are found to be implemented by office of municipality.

2.5. Existing Water Supply Situation

A system of 7 public stand posts of water supply was built during the Rana regime (before 1930), whose intake source Sawa Khola is located at the foot of Hile Bazaar, 10 km far from Dhankuta Bazaar and is still functioning. Later in 1980, the system was upgraded to 115 taps by DWSS, colleting water from various other sources. This was further improved in 1994 by the grant aid of British Government. The existing Dhankuta Water Supply system was constructed with the cooperation from UK/India/S. Korea/DWSS/WUSC/Users in different period of time. Almost 34 numbers of reservoir/distribution tanks are functioning in the town. But, most of them have smaller capacity of 3 m3 – 8 m3, leaking and are in deteriorating conditions. Thus, the present Water Supply and Sanitation situation for most of the project area is not satisfactory. Presently WUSC is serving with 1650 private and 48 community taps and there is serious shortfall of water supply. Many households does not have piped water supply as WUSC has stopped providing new connections since 2004.

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

The most of the water quality parameters of the proposed sources are within the standard set by NDWQS, 2062 but some are not within the standard. Thus raw water is not suitable for drinking purpose and requires treatment. The water quality is expected to worsen in the rainy season due to increase in runoff of the sources with increased in suspended solids, turbidity and dissolved minerals. 2.6. Resettlement, Relocation and Compensation Issue

There shall be not any relocation and resettlement of the local people. Thus, no compensation issues need to be considered. 2.7. Relevancy of the project proposal

Any development project have some environmental implication, whether beneficial or adverse. Therefore, it is pertinent to identify the complications/changes apparent in the environmental condition along with the favorable or adverse impacts resulting from the activities associated with the project over the physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment of the project area. Similarly the assessment of the magnitude of the impacts is also equally important. The assessment techniques and methods to be adopted may however vary depending upon the nature of the project.

In recent years, environmentally sustainable development has become one of the major challenges faced by different development institutions. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, GoN has introduced a variety of instruments into the country’s development activities. IEE is one of the tools for the environmentally sustainable development.

Taking in view of the statutory requirement of GoN, adhered to for the environmental assessment of any development projects under EPA-2053 & EPR-2054, an IEE study is necessary and thus TOR is prepared. The Schedule – 1 of EPR states to conduct IEE Study:

2.7.1. Threshold Limits for Conducting IEE

For Drinking Water Supply Project ,according to Environmental Protection Guidelines, 2054 BS, First Revised (2055 BS) Schedule -1 (Clause G. Drinking Water), IEE is required for following condition :

Particulars Status for proposed Dhankuta Town Project 1) Collection of rain- water in not more Not applicable than 200 hectares, and use of water sources (springs and wetlands) located within the same area.

2) Surface water sources with not more Not applicable than 1 cubic ft. safe yield and supply of not more than 50 percent of the water during the dry season.

3) Processing of water at the rate of 10 Within limit to 25 liters per second.

4) Recharging up to 50 percent of the Not applicable

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

total aquifer for the development of underground water source.

5) Construction of not more than one Not applicable kilometer long tunnels for carrying water

6) Displacement of not more than 100 Not applicable persons for operating a water supply scheme.

7) Settlement of not more than 500 Not applicable persons on the upper reaches of water sources

8) Supply of drinking water to Within limits population ranging between 2000 and 20000

9) Supply of drinking water to a Within Limits population ranging between 10,000 and 100,000 upon connecting new sources.

10) Installation of more than 20 Not applicable kilometers long electricity transmission lines for pumping or processing water and consumption of more than one MW of electricity.

11) River training and diversion activities over Not applicable an area of more than one kilometer.

For Drinking Water Supply Project: IEE is required for the water supply scheme having population between 10,000 – 100,000. Population of the project falls in the strata. Further this is an extension of existing system. Service areas have been added and new sources are to be tapped. Further no people will displaced with the construction / operation of the project. Thus the IEE study has to be carried out.

3. Approach and Methodology to be adopted while preparing the report

3.1. Public Consultation Program and Public Notice

Public consultation program in the project area will be organized to inform the broader communities and to collect the feedbacks and suggestions regarding the issues. This program mainly focus on the awareness about the project plans and programs, building of mutual consensus about the implementation of the project, identification of the key issues to be considered during IEE study and project design.

The proponent will affix a notice in the office of Dhankuta Municipality and other ward offices, Office of the DDC, schools, hospitals, health post requesting the concerned authorities and individuals to offer their written opinion and suggestions within fifteen days with regard to the possible impact of the

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

implementation of the proposal on the environment. The notice will also be published in the national daily newspaper. Deeds of the fixing of notice from the concerned offices will be collected and included within the report.

3.2. Data Analysis and Report Preparation

The data collected shall be analyzed to identify both the negative and positive impacts of the project on the existing environment. During this stage, the socio-economic profile prepared by the NGO shall also be considered for further verification before finalization and identifying and predicting the possible impacts both the adverse and beneficial. The consultant will submit the IEE Draft report within 45 days after approval of TOR. The draft IEE report will be presented to WUSC, local body representative etc. The consultant will incorporate the comments and suggestion made by PMO and WUSC. The consultant will submit the final IEE report within 7 days after receiving comments from PMO.

The proponent shall submit fifteen copies of the proposal to the concerned Ministry (MoUD) in accordance with Rule 10 of the EPR, 1997 for the approval of the proposal.

4. Policies, laws, rules and manuals to be taken into account while preparingthe report

The IEE should also be conducted in compliance with the following Policies, laws, Acts, Regulations, Standards and Guidelines:

Policies: i) Rural Water Supply and Sanitation National Policy, Strategy and Action Plan 2060 B.S. (2004 AD) ii) Water Supply and Sanitation National Policy and Strategy 2060 B.S. (2004 AD) iii) Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Policy 2066 B.S. (2009 AD) iv) ADB's " Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) " 2066 BS ( 2009 AD)

Acts and Regulation: i) National Park and Wild Life Conservation Act 2030 BS (1974 AD) ii) Land Acquisition Act 2034BS (1978 AD) iii) Soil and watershed Area Conservation Act 2039 BS ( 1983 AD) iv) Labour Act 2048 BS ( 1992 AD) v) Water Resources Act, 2049 BS (1992 AD) vi) Forest Act 2049 BS (1992 AD) vii) Forest Regulations 2050 BS ( 1993 AD) viii) Environmental Protection Act, 2053 BS (1996 AD) ix) Environmental Protection Regulation, 2054 BS (with Amendment) x) Local Self Governance Act 2055 BS (1999 AD) xi) Aquatic Animals Protection Act 1961 and First Amendment 2055 BS (1999 AD) xii) Local Self Governance Regulations 2056 BS (2000 AD) xiii) Child Labour prohibition and Regulation Act 2056 BS ( 2001 AD) xiv) Water Supply and Sanitation Regulation 2062 BS (2005 AD)

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

Standards and Guidelines

• National EIA Guidelines 2050 B.S. (1993 AD) • National Drinking Water Quality Standards 2062 B.S. (2005 AD) • Water Resources Strategy , 2055 B.S. (2002 AD) 5. Time Schedule for IEE Study

Time schedule envisaged for the IEE study is as follows

Duration: Within Two months of the approval of TOR.

Proposed Schedule of work for IEE Report Preparation

S.No Activities / Week 1 wk 2 wk 3 wk 4 wk 5 wk 6 wk 7 wk 8 wk 1 TOR Approval 2 Public Notification 3 Field investigation, experts view / focus group session and collection of public opinion 4 Preparation and submission of Draft Report 5 Collection of comments and suggestions 6 Preparation and submission of Final Report

Budget: Estimated budget for this IEE study is Rs. 2,00,000. 5.1. Resource Persons

Following inter-disciplinary human resources will be engaged with the co-ordination of team leader. The team mainly consists of:

i. Environmental safeguard specialist ii. Water Supply Engineer iii. Sociologist/Social Safeguard Specialist iv. Hydrologist/Geo-hydrologist v. Botanist

6. Anticipated Impact of the Project

A distinction shall be made between the potentially significant positive and adverse impacts and immediate and long term impacts. Impacts that are unavoidable or irreversible shall be identified.

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

Where ever possible, the significant impacts shall be quantified in terms of environment costs and benefits.

The impacts shall be identified mainly for the activities pre-construction and post construction (O&M) phase on the existing physical, biological and socio-economic resources.

As a part of the study, enhancement of the positive impacts shall also be carried out. The potential impacts that shall be assessed are grouped into three major impacts as follows:

6.1. Physical Impacts

Land: The possible changes in the land use pattern of the area shall be studied giving focus to landslide, erosion, and environmental aesthetics degradation.

Water: The possibility of negative impacts on surface water, ground water, wastewater problems and obstruction to natural drainage shall be studied carefully. Apart from this, the study shall also focus on the source dispute and water use conflicts if exist.

Air & Noise: The deterioration in the ambient air quality and noise & vibration disturbance during the construction and operation phases shall be studied to recommend the mitigation measures.

Soils & Geology: The degradation in the soils and geological status of the project area due to the project and its associated activities shall be studied. The consequences of the erosion and landslides due to the project shall also be studied.

Hydrology: The modification that will be brought by the implementation of the project in the river hydrology will be studied along with the consequences (adverse or positive) resulted from the project. In addition, the riparian flow as well as minimum discharge of the river /water source after abstraction of the design flow will be studied in accordance with the requirements of the environmental flow envisaged by the acts and regulations.

Others: Other parameters, if any, such as: quarry site impact, spoil disposal impact, waste materials disposal impact etc., identified during the study shall be incorporated in the report. In addition to this, cumulative impacts shall also be considered during the identification of the impacts of the project on the natural settings of the environment.

6.2. Biological Impacts

Flora (Forest & Terrestrial Vegetation): Change in forest cover/forest clearance, extinction of rare and endangered species of floral species, timber exploitation, firewood extraction etc. due to the project shall be studied to assess the losses to the vegetation and to suggest suitable mitigation measures.

Wildlife and Terrestrial Fauna: Change in the terrestrial wildlife, avi-fauna and aquatic life including fish, extinction of rare and endangered species, loss of habitat, sensitive habitat, migratory routes, construction disturbances, hunting and poaching by workforce, destruction of spawning and rearing of ground of fish, impact on fishermen etc. due to the project shall be suitably incorporated in the IEE report.

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

Others: Other parameters, if any, such as permanent disturbances to the vegetation coverage, local wildlife etc. identified during the study shall be incorporated in the report along with their cumulative effects on the environment. 6.3. Socio-Economic and Cultural Impacts

The socio-economic and cultural impacts can be wide ranging in their nature. So the study shall incorporate the factors like; occupational health and safety impact, Health and sanitation impact, land acquisition and compensation impact, Impact on women and vulnerable, impact on local economy, migration problem, resettlement & rehabilitation problems, change in land use pattern, change in nearby land values, slum creation hazard, impact on education, encroachment of cultural sites, law and order problem, generation of employment, impacts due to influx of workers and resulting cultural differences hazards.

While preparing the report any issues / impacts found relevant will be included in the report, besides the issues /impacts mentioned in this TOR

7. Analyses of Alternatives to the Proposed Project

The alternative analysis of the project shall be conducted during the study to minimize the possible negative environmental impacts. Alternative measures to the proposed project to meet the same project objectives will have to be described in following aspects:

• Project Location (setting) • Design • Technology choice • Construction techniques • Operation and Maintenance.

Alternatives in terms of potential environmental impacts, capital and operating costs and institutional training and monitoring requirements should be described. Costs and benefits of each alternative should be quantified (wherever possible); incorporating the estimated costs of any associated mitigation measures.

8. Mitigation Measures

Suitable, cost effective and environmentally friendly mitigation measures shall be recommended during the preparation of IEE report for all the perceived impacts to minimize the environmental impacts of project implementation. In general the following area shall be covered while preparing mitigation measures: i. Project design and preparation Phase ii. Project construction phase iii. Project operation and maintenance phase

In general the following impacts are expected, which will be addressed in IEE report in detail.

1. Environmental problems relating to project sitting/ project location phase: - Encroachment to private/ public property - Disturbance of cultural resources, historic sites, vegetation, wetland, surface draining, and wildlife - Land use or location conflicts - Conflicts in water allocation

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

- Conflicts due to inadequate compensation if private land is use.

2. Environmental problems relating to project planning and design phase: - Degradation of areas through repeated access and increased use - Securing physical access to site - Demolition and disposal of existing structures - Degradation of surface waters by soil erosion from distributed areas - Discharge of drilling slurries and produced waters - Waste equipment servicing and sanitary and domestic wastes - Taking of test borings within proposed rights of way - Clear cutting and disposal of vegetation - On-site transport of materials and storage of materials and supplies - Controlling over-extraction of groundwater and runoff damages - Adequacy of primary water treatment plants installation - Quality of water pipes laid down in distribution system - Securing safe water and planning of adequate excess drainage discharge system.

3. Environmental problems relating to project construction phase: - Runoff and sedimentation from grading for track roads and alteration of hydrological patterns due to maintenance roads - Loss of land use and population relocation disturbances due to placement of pipes, construction materials and substations - Secondary development of shops, temporary sheds and trails during construction generating waste in surrounding area.

4. Environmental problems relating to project operation phase: - Increased demands on services and facilities in local communities - Social and cultural conflicts concern with water distribution, excess water discharge and maintenance - Use of local surface water or groundwater - Contamination of groundwater and detection of water borne diseases - Detection of chemical contamination such as Arsenic, Iron, Nitrate etc. in water causing additional costs incurred in the removal of hazardous chemicals.

Concerned agencies like SSTWSSSP, DWSS, WSSDO and local agencies, local administration office shall be consulted during the implementation of mitigation measures.

9. Matters to be monitored while implementing the Project

9.1. Environmental Management Plan

The project proponent has to develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to systematically manage all the perceived environmental impacts of the project. It shall be therefore based on the mitigation measures for the project induced impacts. An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has a dual purpose. It is designed to monitor the contractor's work during project implementation. It helps to check contractual compliance with specified mitigation measures. It also helps in making periodic checks on the actual environmental impacts of the Project over the years following completion of the works, and compares these with those impacts anticipated at the time of Project appraisal. The EMP therefore provides the necessary feedback required for correcting potentially serious Project deficiencies, and for planning of other projects.

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

The EMP shall include the responsibilities of different stakeholders based on preliminary plans and schedules. This program shall include measures required during the project design, construction and operational phases and shall include recommendations on allocation of components of the EMP to the various parties involved. Feasible and cost-effective measures to prevent/mitigate/reduce significant negative impacts should be recommended in an Environmental Management Plan. The impacts and costs associated with implementing the measures will have to be detailed. The EMP will include proposed work programs, budget estimates, schedules, staffing and training requirements, and other support services to implement the mitigating measures.

9.2. Environmental Monitoring Plan

The project will develop Environmental Monitoring Program for the pre-construction, construction and post construction activities of the project. The program will evaluate:

(i) the extent and severity of the adverse environmental impacts as compared to what was predicted, (ii) how effective the mitigating measures were and compliance with the regulations and (iii) overall effectiveness of the EMP.

The environmental monitoring of the project includes field supervision and reporting of project activities prior to and during the project construction and operation in order to ensure that the works are being carried out in accordance to the approved design and that the environmental mitigation measures are fully implemented in accordance with the EMP.

The DSC will prepare progress reports on EMP implementation and submits to relevant agencies on regular basis. The WSSDO Dhankuta willsupervise the environmental monitoring activities undertaken by DSC.

Monitoring of the mitigation measures during the construction and operation phase will be mainly considered the impacts of followings:

a) Construction Phase:Soil erosion, sedimentation and slope stabilization; spoil-tip protection and management; stock taking of species of urban vegetation during vegetation clearance along pipeline alignments and re-plantation; change in hydrology and morphology of streams and rivers; water, air and noise (vibration) pollution; solid waste; land intake and compensation; reinstatement of damaged structures and services; crime and community stress; health, safety and sanitation of the work force and camps; archaeological and cultural sites and chance finds; and traffic management.

b) Operation Phase:Discharge of water during plant maintenance, leakage, backwash, treatment operations; silt disposal; quality of drinking water supplies; pipe flushing.

Monitoring mechanism: The monitoring mechanism during construction will be of regular type whereas baseline monitoring, compliance monitoring and process monitoring shall have to be done during the operation and maintenance phase. The monitoring team shall visit the project site and monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of mitigation measures.

9.3. Information Disclosure, public Consultation and Participation

Public consultation is the process of exchanging information with those persons and organizations with alegitimate interest in a project and/or who are likely to be affected by the project (stakeholders). It is a two-way process that informs and involves the community in developing a project, and informs the proponent about issues and concerns, which can then be addressed in project design. Information disclosure involves

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

stakeholders in monitoring the developmentand implementation of a project and fosters openness in decision-making by presenting documents and other project materials for public scrutiny.

The consultation and disclosureinvolves consultation with stakeholders at an early stage of project preparation, and throughout project implementation. As a minimum, stakeholders will be consulted regarding the scope of the environmental study before work has commenced in earnest, and should then be informed about the likely impacts of the project and proposed mitigation once the draft IEE report is under preparation. The report should record the views of stakeholders and indicate how these have been taken into account in project development.

Information is disclosed through public consultation and more formally by making documents and other materials available in a form and at a location in which they can be easily accessed by stakeholders. This normally involves making draft reports available (in the local language) at public locations in the community and providing a mechanism for the receipt of comments and making documents available more widely.

Public consultation and involvement should be given highest priority in the implementation of mitigation measures. Public consultation should take place and on the basis of decision of the consultation meeting, implementation of mitigation measures should be prioritized and should be carried out with the involvement of the local people.

Monitoring is one of the components of EMP. The results of monitoring should also be disclosed in the form of demonstration, charts, figures, graphs, and samples, etc. to the local people, school students and other interested stakeholders. In the process of compliance monitoring of the project construction, local people and construction workers should be consulted.

9.4. Grievance Redress Mechanism

The WSSDO Dhankuta will be responsible to address the issues and problems raised by the local communities regarding the loss of assets, water and sanitation etc. during the implementation of the project. The WSSDO shall ask the Environment Specialist of the DSC to assist in the handling of grievances and the community level stakeholders should be encouraged to help in the handling of grievances at the project sites.

The affected person / community will submit grievances / complaints to the Water Supply and Sanitation Division Office (WSSDO). The WSSDO will try to solve the grievance at the project level. If thegrievance cannot be solved at the project level, WSSDO will forward it to Director General (DG)'s Office at Kathmandu through SSTWSSP.

10. IEE Report Contents/Format

IEE report shall be prepared as per this TOR and shall be submitted to MoUD through SSTWSSSP. The basic format of the report will be in accordance with the EPR, 1997 and National EIA Guidelines, 1993. Land use map of location sites, letters obtained from the stakeholders in response to public notification, and the newspaper cut piece of public notification and no objection letter from district office will be included in the IEE report. Similarly, wherever applicable maps, photographs, tables and matrix shall be presented. The format for the IEE report should include, but not limited the following:

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Purpose of the report 2. Basis and extent of the IEE study a. ADB policy b. National Act and Rules c. Policies and Legal framework of KUKL d. Objectives and Scope of the Environmental Study e. Approach and Methodology

B. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 1. Existing Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Infrastructure a. Water Supply b. Sanitation c. Drainage 2. Type, category and need of the subprojects 3. Size or magnitude of operation 4. Proposed schedule for implementation 5. Description of the subprojects Table: Components of Subprojects

Infrastructure Function Description Location

C. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 1. Physical resources a. Topography b. Geology and Soils, Seismology c. Climate and Air quality d. Water resources e. Surface water and quality f. Groundwater and quality 2. Ecological Resources a. National Parks and Protected areas b. Forests (including rare or endangered species) c. Flora d. Fauna e. Fisheries/Aquatic biology 3. Social and Cultural Resources a. Population and communities i. Health facilities ii. Educational facilities b. Socio-economic conditions (community structure, family structure, social well-being) c. Physical or cultural heritage

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

d. Employment e. Slums and squatter settlements 4. Economic Development and Prospects for Growth a. Land Use b. Infrastructure i. Transportation ii. Drinking Water Supply iii. Surface Drainage, Sanitation and Sewerage iv. Electricity v. Communications c. Economic Characteristics i. Industries ii. Agricultural development iii. Mineral Development iv. Tourism Development v. Developmental Organizations vi. Major Environmental Problems d. Health and Sanitation

D. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 1. Pre-construction Phase a. Environmental Impacts due to project design 2. Construction Phase a. Environmental impacts due to project construction i. Physical environment ii. Biological Environment iii. Socio-economic and Cultural Environment

Compensation and rehabilitation per the resettlement Plan (RP)

Reinstatement of damaged community services and infrastructure

Influx of outside workforce, money and unwanted activities

Health and Safety

i. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) ii. Community health and safety

Dislocation of archaeological artifacts

Traffic management

3. Operational Phase

Residual Impacts

Potential Environmental Enhancement Measures

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SSTWSSSP (Dhankuta Town) TOR for IEE

Trans-boundary and Cumulative Impacts

E. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES WITH AND WITHOUT PROJECT SITUATIONS

F. INFORMATION DIDCLOSURE, CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION

G. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM

H. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) 1. Environmental Management Plan and Objectives 2. Monitoring and Mitigation Plan 3. Implementation Arrangements a. Environmental Procedure and Institutions b. Reporting Procedures c. Procurement plan and environmental monitoring and mitigation cost estimates d. Project Implementation Schedule

I. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION While preparing the report any issue / impacts found relevant will be included in the report, besides the issues /impacts mentioned in this TOR

The proponent shall submit fifteen copies of the final IEE Report of this project to the concerned Ministry (MoUD) in accordance with Rule 10 of the EPR, 2054 (1997)

23 | P a g e Annex-2: Rapid Environmental Assessment Water supply

SSTWSSSP- Dhankuta Town Project

RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (REA) CHECKLISTS

REA- 1 Water supply

SSTWSSSP- Dhankuta Town Project

RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (REA) CHECKLIST

Instructions:

(i) The project team completes this checklist to support the environmental classification of a project. It is to be attached to the environmental categorization form and submitted to the Environment and Safeguards Division (RSES) for endorsement by the Director, RSES and for approval by the Chief Compliance Officer.

(ii) This checklist focuses on environmental issues and concerns. To ensure that social dimensions are adequately considered, refer also to ADB's (a) checklists on involuntary resettlement and Indigenous Peoples; (b) poverty reduction handbook; (c) staff guide to consultation and participation; and (d) gender checklists.

(iii) Answer the questions assuming the “without mitigation” case. The purpose is to identify potential impacts. Use the “remarks” section to discuss any anticipated mitigation measures.

Country/Project Title: Small Town Water Supply & Sanitation Sector Project

Sector Division: Water Supply

Screening Questions Yes No Remarks A. Project Siting Is the project area…

Densely populated? No Population density is about 15.50 per hectare. Heavy with development activities? No No such development activity except road improvement programme. Adjacent to or within any environmentally sensitive areas?

• Cultural heritage site No No remarkable sites

• Protected Area No No protected area

• Wetland No No Wetlands.

• Mangrove No Found in the forest but not within project area • Estuarine Not Applicable

• Buffer zone of protected area No No buffers zone of protected area

• Special area for protecting biodiversity No No such area.

• Bay No

REA- 2 Water supply

SSTWSSSP- Dhankuta Town Project Screening Questions Yes No Remarks B. Potential Environmental Impacts Will the Project cause…

pollution of raw water supply from upstream wastewater No Scattered settlement is about discharge from communities, industries, agriculture, and soil 3Km upstream of proposed erosion runoff? Nibuwa stream , No settlement upstream of Tankhuwa stream

The distributed water is to comply with the National Drinking Water Quality Standards.

impairment of historical/cultural monuments/areas and No Not expected loss/damage to these sites?

hazard of land subsidence caused by excessive ground No No ground water pumping scheme water pumping?

social conflicts arising from displacement of communities ? No No displacement required

conflicts in abstraction of raw water for water supply with No This is a rehabilitation and other beneficial water uses for surface and ground waters? extension project of the existing one. unsatisfactory raw water supply (e.g. excessive pathogens No The raw water quality in the area or mineral constituents)? meets the National Drinking Water Quality Standards. Only disinfection will be required before distribution. delivery of unsafe water to distribution system? No Water will be disinfected to meet the National Drinking Water Quality Standards. inadequate protection of intake works or wells, leading to No Fencing and other protection pollution of water supply? works of water intakes to prevent pollution of water supply, and will be accessible only to authorized persons. The water will also be regularly monitored to ensure only treated water is distributed.

over pumping of ground water, leading to salinization and NA The project is based on surface ground subsidence? source

excessive algal growth in storage reservoir? No Storage reservoirs are only for treated water. The water will be chlorinated and the reservoirs covered to prevent algal growth

increase in production of sewage beyond capabilities of No Regular septage pumping is community facilities? planned and will be dried in the sludge drying bed to be constructed by this project.

inadequate disposal of sludge from water treatment plants? No Disposal of sludge to be done at designated sites as per the EMP.

REA- 3 Water supply

SSTWSSSP- Dhankuta Town Project Screening Questions Yes No Remarks inadequate buffer zone around pumping and treatment No Noise impacts to be monitored. plants to alleviate noise and other possible nuisances and Furthermore, intake and treatment protect facilities? plants will be located in an isolated area away from the settlement.

impairments associated with transmission lines and access Yes Expected during pipe-laying but roads? impacts will be temporary and short in duration. Traffic density is very low. A section-wise approach will also limit impairments to traffic and businesses during construction.

health hazards arising from inadequate design of facilities No Main dealing chemical is clorine. for receiving, storing, and handling of chlorine and other Rubber Gloves, boots , mask are hazardous chemicals. provided and training will be provided for proper handling and storage of chlorine. health and safety hazards to workers from handling and No Personal protective equipment will management of chlorine used for disinfection, other be provided to workers. Regular contaminants, and biological and physical hazards during training will also be conducted to project construction and operation? ensure that workers are aware of the health hazards of chemicals.

dislocation or involuntary resettlement of people? No Treatment units, reservoir complex belongs to WUSC, no involuntary resettlement is required. disproportionate impacts on the poor, women and children, No The subproject will not affect Indigenous Peoples or other vulnerable groups? indigenous peoples or other vulnerable groups. It will be beneficial to women and children as water will be available in their home and fetching water will no more be a problem. The contractor will be encouraged to engage from the local labor force.

noise and dust from construction activities? Yes Expected but impacts will be temporary and short in duration. Water sprinkler will be used for mitigation of dust. increased road traffic due to interference of construction yes Expected but impacts will be activities? temporary and short in duration, as present traffic density is very low continuing soil erosion/silt runoff from construction No Quick backfilling will prevent the operations? soil erosion

delivery of unsafe water due to poor O&M treatment No Any distributed water to comply processes (especially mud accumulations in filters) and with the National Drinking Water inadequate chlorination due to lack of adequate monitoring Quality Standards and addressed of chlorine residuals in distribution systems? in the EMP.

delivery of water to distribution system, which is corrosive No The O&M manuals to be due to inadequate attention to feeding of corrective developed and will be addressed chemicals? in O & M manual.

REA- 4 Water supply

SSTWSSSP- Dhankuta Town Project Screening Questions Yes No Remarks accidental leakage of chlorine gas? No Chlorine gas will not be used instead calcium hypochlorite will be used in the chlorination process.

excessive abstraction of water affecting downstream water No .Agreement has been done not users? to extract 8 lps of water from Tankhuwa river. ( Though discharge is about 40lps) competing uses of water? No Nibuwa river will be used solely for water supply , for Tankhuwa: agreement has been done to use 8lps of water. Other existing operating sources will be continued for operation. increased sewage flow due to increased water supply No Population density is low. Increased sewage will be easily managed within the individual house by making pit.

increased volume of sullage (wastewater from cooking and No Bazaar has good drainage system washing) and sludge from wastewater treatment plant with adequate slope. Regular maintenance of the drains will mitigate the increased volume. In other parts settlement is still rural setting and can be easily managed within backyard of house.

large population influx during project construction and No Priority in employment will be operation that causes increased burden on social given to local residents. infrastructure and services (such as water supply and Construction contractors will be sanitation systems)? required to provide a worker’s camp, with basic facilities.

social conflicts if workers from other regions or countries No Local people will be given are hired? priority for employment

risks to community health and safety due to the transport, No Construction will not involve use of storage, and use and/or disposal of materials such as explosives and chemicals. explosives, fuel and other chemicals during operation and construction? Excavation ,trenching will be done manually.

community safety risks due to both accidental and natural No Construction areas will be clearly hazards, especially where the structural elements or demarcated and access components of the project are accessible to members of the controlled. Only workers and affected community or where their failure could result in project staff will be allowed to visit injury to the community throughout project construction, operational sites. operation and decommissioning?

REA- 5 Water supply

SSTWSSSP- Dhankuta Town Project

Climate Change and Disaster Risk Questions Yes No Remarks The following questions are not for environmental categorization. They are included in this checklist to help identify potential climate and disaster risks.

• Is the Project area subject to hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, tropical cyclone winds, storm surges, Not applicable tsunami or volcanic eruptions and climate changes (see Appendix I)?

Could changes in temperature, precipitation, or extreme Not applicable events patterns over the Project lifespan affect technical or financial sustainability (e.g., changes in rainfall patterns disrupt reliability of water supply; sea level rise creates salinity intrusion into proposed water supply source)?

Are there any demographic or socio-economic aspects of No Not applicable the Project area that are already vulnerable (e.g.,high incidence of marginalized populations, rural-urban migrants, illegal settlements, ethnic minorities, women or children)?

Could the Project potentially increase the climate or disaster No Not applicable vulnerability of the surrounding area (e.g., by using water from a vulnerable source that is relied upon by many user groups, or encouraging settlement in earthquake zones)?

* Hazards are potentially damaging physical events.

REA- 6

Annex-3: Public Notice

Annex-4:

Deed of Inquiry

Annex-5: Water Quality Test Report

ANNEXES

Sample Questionnaire

ूाथ्क सवण खानपानी आपितू ् र गुणःतर धनकुटा नगरपािलका (वडा २-७), नपाल

नाम:

िलग: पुष महला

ठगाना: वडा: टल:

परवारक प: सान संयु

परवार सदःय संया :

पुष :

महला :

क टाक ट :

तपाईक घरमा कुन – कुन ॐतक पानी ूयग गनु्हुछ?

सावजिनक् धारा सामुदाियक धारा िनजी धारा कु वा आकासपानी संकलन अय

तपाईल ूयग गन ु् हुन सावजिनक् धारा / सामुदाियक धारा कितक टाढा छ ? (मीटर)

. परवारमा पानी याउन काम कसल गनु् हुछ ?

पुष महला क टाकट . घरमा दिनक पानीक खपत कित हुछ ? (िलटर ) (गागी)

. घरमा कित समयक फरकमा पानी आउन गद्छ ?

दनक एकपटक भदा बाद दईु दनक एकपटक हाक एकपटक अय . पानी आउन समयमा दनक कित घटा आउछ ?

. घरमा आउन पानी पया् छ क छन ?

छ छन . तपाई कितक अविधमा पानी आउन अपा राु हुछ ?

दनक एकपटक भदा बद दनक एकपटक . पानी पउन यय बनाउन कुन - कुन उपायह अपनाउनु हुछ ?

उमालर फटर औषिध ूयग पानीक भाडा छपर घाममा राखर पानीक ॐत सफा गरर क ह गरदन अय . तपाईल ूयग गनु् भएक पानीमा कुन गध पाउन ु भएक छ ?

छ छन . तपाईल ूयग गनु्हुन पानी कःत दखछ ?

वif{fक समय अय समय

सफा धिमल सफा धिमल . क वष ् भर पानी उपलध हुछ?

छ छन

. कुन महनामा पानीक समःया बढ खनु परक छ ?

वशाख जठ असार साउन भद असज काितक मसीर पष माघ फागुण चत . पानीक अभाब भएक अवःथामा अ कुन - कुन वकप अपनाउनु हुछ ?

. यी वकपह मय सब भदा दग ॐत कुन ह र कन ? तीन वटा कारण दनुहस।्

. क बिमएक धारा तुरत मम्त गरछ ?

गरछ गरदन . तपाईल पानी ूयग गनु् भएक बापत महसुल ितनु्हुछ ?

छ छन . एक महनामा कित पया ितनु्हुछ ?

. यद पानीक यवःथा राॆ गरन ह र वष ् भरम पानी आउन ह भन एक महनामा कित पया ितन् तयार हुनुहुछ ?

. बगत एक वषमा् तपाईल खानपानी सबधी कुन उजुर गनभएकु् छ ?

छ छन . उजुर गरक अनसारु काम कितक भएक छ ?

तुरत ढला क ह गरदन . क तपाई आन खानपानी सवा ूित सतुःत हुनुहुछ ?

छ छन . असतुःटका कारणह क - क हुन ्? तीन वटा कारण उलख गनु्हस?्

धयबाद

List of People attended the meeting (Aug 30, 2013) S.No Name of persons Contacted Sex Remarks 1 Ganga B. Rai M Chairperson,WUSC 2 Manoj Narayan Shrestha M Vice chairperson, WUSC 3 Indra B. Dhungel M Secretary, WUSC 4 Ambika Pariyar F Treasurer , WUSC 5 Kiran Pradhan M Member,WUSC 6 Laxmi Shrestha F 7 Naresh Shretha M 8 Khajindra Rai M 9 Nara B. Limbu M 10 Gita Adhikary F 11 Jaya Rai F 12 Harka Rai M 13 Madan B. Shrestha M 14 Anjana Tamli F 15 Shanti Ram Mishra M 16 Tulasa Dahal F 17 Govinda Niraula M 18 Hom B. Rai M 19 Narayan Joshi M 20 Gopal Paudel M 21 Prakash Shrestha M 22 Manoj Shakya M 23 Bhagwan Shakya M 24 Nara B. Bhujel M 25 Ramesh Shretha M 26 Nara. B. Limbu M

Plate 1: Dhankuta Municipality Plate 2: Stakeholders Offices

Plate 3: Intakes of Dhankuta Municipality Water Supply Schemes

Plate 4: Reservoirs in Dhankuta Municipality

Plate 5: People filling water from tap

Plate 6: Community Taps

Plate 7: Kuwa of Dhankuta Municipality Plate 8: Water being supplied from tankers

Plate 9: Water sampling Photos courtesy by Ms. Rachhya Kayastha