Ayusha Chhetri, Liaison & Advocacy Officer, ENPHO

 

Nepal has made significant strides in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, achieving 95.5% sanitation coverage and 88.6% water supply coverage. The nation was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2019, marking a major milestone. However, challenges remain, including ensuring safely managed sanitation (only 19% currently), operationalizing fecal sludge treatment facilities, addressing institutional and financial gaps, and integrating climate resilience into WASH infrastructure. Establishing the NWASH Management Information System and the Water Supply and Sanitation Act (2022) has enhanced data-driven policy-making and regulatory oversight.

Progress has also been made in inclusivity, with gender-sensitive programs and sanitation access for marginalized groups. Empowering sanitation workers and small enterprises further supports SDG 6 goals. To achieve 2030 targets, Nepal must prioritize equitable, inclusive, and sustainable sanitation systems, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and foster public-private partnerships while addressing climate impacts and funding shortfalls. Collaborative efforts and innovative approaches are essential to ensure universal access to safe sanitation.

Journey from 2016 to 2024

Back in 2016, sanitation and hygiene were pressing issues in Nepal, with open defecation prevalent in many areas and basic sanitation coverage lagging behind global standards. A major milestone was achieved in 2019 when Nepal was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). This achievement resulted from years of grassroots activism and collaboration between the government, local communities, and development partners. This significant achievement marked a turning point, as the focus expanded from merely ending open defecation to ensuring “safely managed sanitation,” which involves the treatment and safe disposal.

Building on the success of achieving ODF status, Nepal has made steady progress by 2024 in shaping policies and estimating costs within its WASH plans. These developments underscore a strong dedication to strengthening the country’s sanitation infrastructure. Increasingly, efforts have focused on fostering inclusiveness and ensuring equitable access, so that sanitation services are available to all. The adoption of sustainable and innovative approaches is guiding Nepal towards its sanitation goals, establishing a robust foundation for a cleaner and healthier future.

Measuring Sanitation Progress: Tracking SDG Data

Since the adoption of the SDGs in 2016, Nepal has made notable progress in using data to inform its sanitation efforts. The development of the NWASH system, a centralized repository for geo-referenced WASH data, has been pivotal. The N-WASH Management Information System (MIS) serves as a critical tool for assessment and analysis, enhancing the capability of local and provincial governments by defining roles, responsibilities, and staffing, with links to the Provincial and Local Governance Support Program.

By 2024, reporting systems have been strengthened to enable systematic monitoring and data-driven policy adjustments. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become integral in mapping sanitation infrastructure and identifying service gaps. In urban areas, progress in safely managed sanitation is visible, with more functional waste treatment facilities and an increasing focus on fecal sludge management. Improved data coordination among government bodies and stakeholders has also bolstered the effectiveness of WASH programs, laying a strong foundation for achieving universal access to safely managed sanitation.

Regulatory Landscape: Policies and Gaps

The regulation of water and sanitation services is essential in transforming sector governance, ensuring accountability and transparency among service providers, and amplifying customer voices. Aligned with the Constitution of Nepal (2015), which enshrines safe water and sanitation as a fundamental right, recent legislative and policy developments have laid a strong foundation for progress.

The Government of Nepal has issued Water and Sanitation Regulation (2024) to affect the implementation of water and sanitation Act (2022). Preparatory institutional actions, led by the Ministry of Water Supply, include the establishment of a Service Regulation Division within the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management. This division is empowered to license water and sanitation utilities, enhancing regulatory oversight. Additionally, the newly created Water and Sanitation Service Tariff Commission will oversee the economic regulation of water and sanitation services, ensuring fair and transparent tariff-setting practices.

Complementing these regulatory advancements is the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Policy (2023), which outlines transformative strategies for achieving safely managed water and sanitation services. The Domestic Wastewater Effluent Standards (2023) provide clear guidance for treatment system design and compliance monitoring, while the National Drinking Water Quality Standard and its Implementation and Monitoring Guidelines (2022) establish benchmarks for safe water services.

Building Inclusivity in Sanitation

In addition to significant advancements in sanitation, Nepal has also witnessed greater inclusivity in the sector. Gender-sensitive WASH programs have been implemented, and schools constructed separate sanitation facilities for women and girls. Targeted efforts have improved access in rural and marginalized communities, and accessible sanitation designs have been promoted for people with disabilities. NWASH underscores the need for inclusive approaches that cater to vulnerable groups. Inclusivity is central to all policies, with ongoing efforts to enhance equity and access through pro-poor regulations and community-based solutions. By increasing community involvement and running behavior change campaigns, Nepal is gradually overcoming social and cultural barriers to ensure equitable access to sanitation for all segments of society.

Empowering sanitation Workers and Small & Medium Enterprises

Sanitation workers play a crucial role in advancing Nepal’s sanitation goals by ensuring that waste is safely managed and disposed of, directly contributing to the achievement of SDG 6. Their work is essential for maintaining public health and hygiene, preventing the spread of disease, and promoting environmental sustainability. Empowering these workers involves offering proper training, protective equipment, and fair compensation, which not only improves their safety but also upholds their dignity, thereby improving their ability to perform their roles efficiently.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) involved in fecal sludge management also play a critical role in advancing sanitation goals. These businesses offer solutions for waste treatment and management by providing affordable, efficient, and scalable sanitation services. SMEs help bridge the gap in fecal sludge treatment and disposal, which is essential for meeting SDG 6. Their ability to offer localized and adaptable solutions ensures that sanitation systems are accessible to a broader population, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Supporting these groups through capacity-building initiatives, policy reforms, and financial support empowers them to expand their reach and impact, ultimately meeting the goals of safely managed sanitation.

Gaps and Challenges

Despite of significant progresses made, Nepal persists in fully realizing SDG 6. While the milestone of ODF status was reached in 2019, the mere focus was on basic latrine access, overlooking critical aspects of fecal sludge management such as safe disposal, treatment, and the associated health risks. Moreover, the lack of sufficient skilled human resources and financial resources hampered efforts to scale successful initiatives from pilot projects to a national level, limiting the broader impact necessary for ensuring safely managed sanitation across the country.

Data collection through the NWASH system has shown progress in geo-referenced sanitation information, yet operationalizing treatment facilities remains a challenge. The underutilization of the treatment plants, with only 7 out of 18 fully operational, presents a major challenge, especially when compared to the progress made by neighboring countries such as India and Bangladesh. The country’s regulatory landscape also faces ongoing challenges, notably in institutional and human capital gaps. A shortage of skilled officials, particularly at the federal and municipal levels, and limited funding restrict the ability of key bodies like the Service Regulation Division and the Water and Sanitation Service Tariff Commission to perform essential tasks, such as licensing, inspections, performance monitoring, and tariff-setting.

Funding shortfalls remain a critical issue, slowing progress towards achieving SDG goals. The lack of sufficient resources hampers scaling efforts for equitable, inclusive sanitation services and the incorporation of innovative technologies. The absence of clear incentives and adequate institutional support also limits private sector investment, which is essential to bridge these gaps. Furthermore, coordination between governments and stakeholders is fragmented, with insufficient mechanisms for collaboration and data-sharing, which affects the efficient use of resources and the alignment of efforts to achieve SDG targets.

Additionally, the integration of climate resilience measures into WASH policies is an ongoing challenge. The current infrastructure and policies do not adequately address the risk caused by increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like floods and droughts due to climate change. The lack of technical guidelines and capacity-building further impedes the effective integration of climate resilience into the sector, undermining the sustainability of investments in sanitation infrastructure and services.

Conclusion: Charting the Path Forward

As Nepal works towards achieving its 2030 sanitation targets, the emphasis should shift from merely increasing coverage to ensuring the sustainability, inclusivity, and safety within its sanitation systems. Robust regulatory frameworks and policies along with implementation are essential to guarantee equitable access for all, with particular emphasis on addressing the unique needs of marginalized groups, women, children, people with disabilities, and rural communities—to ensure that no one is left behind. Moreover, policies should also aim to subsidize sanitation services for low-income families and marginalized groups, reducing financial barriers and promoting equitable access.

Protecting the welfare of sanitation workers is paramount. These workers, who play an indispensable role in the country’s sanitation efforts, must be provided with the necessary safeguards, recognized for their invaluable contributions, and given the means to work in safe and dignified conditions.

Strengthening data systems will further enhance decision-making and resource allocation, enabling more targeted and effective interventions. Public-private partnerships, alongside active community engagement, will be crucial for scaling initiatives and fostering inclusive progress. The involvement of the private sector will drive innovation, efficiency, and resource mobilization, but regulations must be designed to encourage participation while maintaining stringent standards for safety and quality.

Equally important is addressing the impact of climate change on sanitation systems. Current facilities often contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and remain vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Developing climate-resilient solutions is key to both mitigating and adapting to these challenges. By prioritizing sustainable technologies, Nepal can enhance the efficiency and resilience of its sanitation systems, safeguarding public health and environment.

By focusing on these priorities, Nepal can build on its achievements and pave the way toward 2030 sanitation targets. This calls for sustained commitment, collaborative efforts, and innovative approaches, ensuring universal access to safe and inclusive sanitation for all.

References:

(WASH Sector Performance Report, 2023)
(Water Supply and Sanitation Act, 2022)
(Enpho.org, 2024)
(https://www.unicef.org/nepal/media/17766/file, 2021)
(Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Policy (2023))

Special Acknowledgement:

Mr. Roshan Shrestha, Deputy Director, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Gates Foundation.

Mr. Sanjay Adhikari, Water Governance and Urban Sanitation Policy Expert

Ms. Bhawana Sharma, Executive Director, ENPHO