Thirsty country

In a water-rich country, why do only 25 percent of the people have access to potable water?

A new assessment by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revealed that Nepal’s springs and groundwater reserves are steadily declining, imperilling the country’s water security. The report states that despite enough water resources in the country, only about 25 percent of the population has access to a fully functioning drinking water system. The country thus faces a paradox of abundance and scarcity. The report points to infrastructure gaps, fragmented governance, and climate impacts as factors preventing reliable and equitable water distribution.