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Monday, March 2, 2026

Academic and Professional Profile of Dr. Dasarath Neupane

 

Academic and Professional Profile of Dr. Dasarath Neupane



Dr. Dasarath Neupane, PhD, is an interdisciplinary scholar whose academic presence spans literature, education, psychology, management, and multidisciplinary research. His ORCID profile (ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9285-8984) confirms his identity as an active researcher affiliated with institutions in Nepal and internationally. Although ORCID itself requires JavaScript for full display and provides limited visible metadata by default, his scholarly contributions can be traced through publications, co-authored articles, and editorial roles across multiple academic journals.

Over more than three decades, Neupane has established himself within the Nepalese and global research landscape, particularly through scholarship that bridges humanistic inquiry and contemporary social science problems. According to independent databases and research aggregators, he has authored or co-authored at least 30 + peer-reviewed academic articles, demonstrating a sustained commitment to research productivity and scholarly debate.

He earned his PhD in English Literature from Dr. K.N. Modi University, Rajasthan, India, and an MPhil from Pokhara University, Nepal, which laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary pursuits in literary studies, psychology, and cultural critique. His academic interests encompass literary representations of psychological themes (e.g., aggression, identity), educational environments, consumer behaviour, human resource practices, and socio-economic development issues in Nepal and South Asia.

Neupane also serves in key editorial and leadership roles: Chief Editor of the Baneshwor Campus Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Research Director at the Nepal Philosophical Research Center, positions that reflect both scholarly influence and institutional engagement in advancing research quality and innovation in Nepal.

 

Research Themes and Contributions

1. Literature, Narrative, and Psychological Inquiry

One of Neupane’s notable scholarly trajectories centers on the interplay between literature and psychological themes. For example, his article “The Language of Violence: Aggression as a Narrative and Thematic Device in Literature” investigates how aggression functions not merely as plot catalyst but as a mode of reflecting power dynamics, identity formation, and cultural conflict across literary traditions. This work employs qualitative analysis and positions literary aggression as a prism for understanding broader social and ethical questions.

Similarly, his post-doctoral bibliometric study on reactive versus proactive aggression maps scholarly production and conceptual trends in aggression research. These contributions illustrate Neupane’s ability to integrate literary analysis with rigorous research methodologies, such as bibliometric mapping, to produce insights valuable both within literary studies and interdisciplinary psychology.

Furthermore, Neupane’s later work explores domestic violence research trends from a bibliometric perspective, signaling his interest in socially relevant research domains that intersect with literature, ethics, and societal well-being.

Across these literary and psychological explorations, Neupane pushes beyond textual interpretation to connect literary motifs with real-world phenomena—aggression, conflict, and social dynamics—making his work valuable across disciplinary boundaries.

 

2. Education, Learning Environments, and Student Perspectives

Neupane has also contributed to research on educational environments and student experiences. Within Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, he co-authored an article that investigates how students perceive their educational climate in management disciplines, using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) to quantify dimensions such as learning quality, teacher effectiveness, atmosphere, and student engagement. The findings underscored generally positive perceptions but also highlighted the need for inclusive and supportive pedagogical strategies.

This work demonstrates Neupane’s interest in empirical research related to academic environments and institutional quality—an area that bridges his expertise in educational theory with practical assessments of student outcomes.

 

3. Management and Organisational Studies

Although Neupane’s early training was in literature, many of his later publications focus on management and organisational studies, often in collaboration with researchers from management disciplines. Among these:

  • Green Human Resource Management and Sustainable Workplaces: This article investigates the mediating role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in linking Green HRM practices with sustainable workplace outcomes. This research contributes to contemporary debates on how digital technologies like AI can enhance sustainability and eco-friendly organisational practices.
  • Microfinance and Women’s Empowerment: Alongside colleagues, Neupane examined how microfinance initiatives in rural Nepal (Sindhuli District) impact women’s economic independence and decision-making. This work combines management analysis with socio-economic development discussions, highlighting practical pathways to social empowerment.
  • Consumer Behaviour in Kathmandu’s Smartphone Market: In this empirical study, Neupane explored how social influence mediates the relationship between perceived advantages of technology and consumer purchase intentions. This kind of research illustrates his engagement with market behaviour and consumer psychology in a post-digital context.

These diverse yet interconnected management studies show Neupane’s adaptability as a researcher—working at the intersection of technology, business, sustainability, and social change.

 

Interdisciplinarity and Methodological Diversity

What stands out in Neupane’s oeuvre is his interdisciplinary orientation. His publications span qualitative literary critique, quantitative surveys, bibliometric mapping, and mixed-method approaches. This methodological plurality reflects not only broad research interests but also a capacity to engage with diverse academic paradigms.

For example:

  • Bibliometric methods (in aggression and domestic violence research)
  • Quantitative tools like DREEM surveys (in educational research)
  • Empirical survey data (in consumer behaviour and HRM studies)
  • Theoretical synthesis (in multidisciplinary AI research)

This range demonstrates flexibility and an ability to contribute meaningfully across distinct scholarly domains—a quality valued in modern research ecosystems where complex problems often demand integrative perspectives.

 

Editorial Leadership and Scholarly Community Building

Neupane’s editorial roles have significant scholarly impact beyond individual publications. As Chief Editor of multidisciplinary journals, he has contributed to shaping research agendas, promoting quality scholarship, and facilitating international academic exchanges. His leadership in such roles supports the dissemination of Nepali research on global platforms, enabling emerging scholars to engage in broader intellectual dialogues.

Serving as Research Director at the Nepal Philosophical Research Center further indicates his commitment to institutional research development—advancing philosophical inquiry and fostering collaborative research networks within and outside Nepal.

 

Significance and Impact

While metrics like citation counts (e.g., h-index) may still be emerging for Neupane, his breadth of topics and consistent publication record indicate a researcher actively contributing to both academic knowledge and practical understanding in society. He exemplifies a scholar whose work navigates from literary interpretation to pragmatic concerns in management, technology, and education.

Neupane’s scholarship is significant for several reasons:

  • It builds bridges between disciplines, encouraging dialogues between humanistic and social sciences.
  • It aligns contextual research (e.g., Nepalese socio-economic issues) with broader theoretical frameworks (e.g., bibliometrics, AI, HRM).
  • It supports capacity building in emerging research communities through editorial and institutional leadership.

 

Conclusion

Dr. Dasarath Neupane is a prominent Nepali academic whose research trajectory reflects both depth and diversity. Rooted in literary and cultural studies, his work has progressively engaged with pressing issues in education, organisational behaviour, sustainability, consumer psychology, and social change. His methodological versatility, editorial leadership, and consistent publication record underscore a meaningful contribution to multidisciplinary scholarship.

His scholarly influence, while still growing in global citation metrics, is well-established in the context of South Asian research networks and Nepal’s academic institutions. Neupane’s research enriches academic discourse across fields, promotes evidence-based understanding of social and organisational phenomena, and creates pathways for future interdisciplinary inquiry.

Selected Bibliography of Dr. Dasarath Neupane (with citations)

1. Bibliometric and Interdisciplinary Research

1.      Neupane, D. & Lourdusamy, A. (2024). Exploring Research Dynamics in Aggression and Violence — A bibliometric analysis covering interdisciplinary trends in aggression studies spanning psychology, public health, and behavioral sciences. The study maps key topics, authors, and research gaps.

Citation:
Neupane, D., & Lourdusamy, A. (2024). Exploring Research Dynamics in Aggression and Violence. Nepal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 7(3), 100-116. https://doi.org/10.3126/njmr.v7i3.70928

2.      Neupane, D. & Lourdusamy, A. (2024). Unveiling Global Trends in Reactive and Proactive Aggression: A Cutting-Edge Bibliometric Analysis — Visualized co-authorship and keyword networks in aggression research over two decades.

Citation:
Neupane, D., & Lourdusamy, A. (2024). Unveiling Global Trends in Reactive and Proactive Aggression. NPRC Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 1(3), 28-43. https://doi.org/10.3126/nprcjmr.v1i3.70065

3.      Neupane, D. & Lourdusamy, A. (2024). Beyond Borders: The Accelerating Momentum of Domestic Violence Research Worldwide — Bibliometric review of domestic violence literature and global collaboration patterns.

Citation:
Neupane, D., & Lourdusamy, A. (2024). Beyond Borders: The Accelerating Momentum of Domestic Violence Research Worldwide. NPRC Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 1(2), 34-52. https://doi.org/10.3126/nprcjmr.v1i2.69259

 

2. Literary and Thematic Studies

4.      Neupane, D. & Lourdusamy, A. (2025). The Language of Violence: Aggression as a Narrative and Thematic Device in Literature — Qualitative literary study of how aggression functions as motif and theme in diverse texts.

Citation:
Neupane, D., & Lourdusamy, A. (2025). The Language of Violence: Aggression as a Narrative and Thematic Device in Literature. NPRC Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(1), 188-198. https://doi.org/10.3126/nprcjmr.v2i1.74769

 

3. Empirical Studies in Education and Management

5.      Neupane, D., Mahat, D., Shrestha, S.K., & Karki, T. B. (2025). Reckoning the Student Perspectives on the Educational Environment — An explanatory study using the DREEM instrument to assess management students’ perceptions of learning context in Kathmandu.

Citation:
Neupane, D., Mahat, D., Shrestha, S.K., & Karki, T. B. (2025). Reckoning the Student Perspectives on the Educational Environment. Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, 13(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.18488/73.v13i1.4106

6.      Shrestha, S.K., Karki, T.B., Mahat, D. & Neupane, D. (2024). The Role of Social Influence in Mediating the Relationship Between Relative Advantage and Purchase Intentions for Smartphones — Consumer behaviour research from Kathmandu.

Citation:
Shrestha, S.K., Karki, T.B., Mahat, D., & Neupane, D. (2024). The Role of Social Influence in Mediating the Relationship Between Relative Advantage and Purchase Intentions for Smartphones. International Journal of Management and Sustainability, 13(4), 935-948. https://doi.org/10.18488/11.v13i4.3957

7.      Mahat, D., Shrestha, S.K., Neupane, D., Karki, T.B., & Dongol, P. (2025). Green Human Resource Management and Sustainable Workplace: Artificial Intelligence as a Mediating Variable — Linking AI, GHRM, and sustainability in organizational contexts.

Citation:
Mahat, D., Shrestha, S.K., Neupane, D., Karki, T.B., & Dongol, P. (2025). Green Human Resource Management and Sustainable Workplace. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(6), 656-667. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i6.7863

 

4. Additional Works (Unverified/Broadly Listed from Public Profiles)

While not necessarily in peer-reviewed journals indexed by major databases, his public uploads and manuscripts include:

  • Perceived Organizational Support in Nepalese Banks (2024) — SSRN/independent repository.
  • Exploring the Academic Landscape: A Critical Analysis and Review of the Nepal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (2024) — Co-authored systematic review.
  • Multiple educational, psychological, and literary research manuscripts covering topics like learning styles, school bullying, aggression in A Thousand Splendid Suns, homestay status in Lamjung, and elder reasons for living.

 

Research Impact & Thematic Analysis

A. Thematic Clusters in Dr. Neupane’s Work

Based on his publications and citation records, Dr. Neupane’s research falls into four major thematic clusters:

1. Bibliometric and Meta-Research

A strong emphasis on mapping research landscapes — especially in aggression and violence studies — using bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer to reveal publication trends, collaboration networks, and under-researched areas. This work bridges psychology, ethics, and interdisciplinary knowledge structures.

2. Literature and Cultural Critique

Exploration of narrative violence and aggression as thematic devices in literature, linking language, culture, and psychological constructs. This cluster reflects Neupane’s training in humanities and contributes to literary interpretation enriched by social meaning.

3. Education and Learning Environments

Assessment of student perceptions and educational climates using standardized instruments and empirical surveys — reflecting interests in educational quality, institutional support, and inclusive learning.

4. Management, Consumer Behaviour, and Sustainability

Empirical and conceptual research on management topics, including consumer decision-making, green HRM, AI influences, and sustainability practices — often grounded in real-world organizational contexts in Nepal.

B. Research Networks & Collaboration Patterns

Dr. Neupane’s publications demonstrate collaborative research networks involving:

  • Arputhem Lourdusamy — frequent co-author on bibliometric and literary studies.
  • Dipak Mahat, Sajeeb Kumar Shrestha, Tej Bahadur Karki — collaborators on education and management research.

These collaborations span humanities, social sciences, and management. They indicate cross-disciplinary partnerships linking Nepalese institutional contexts with international scholars.

C. Research Impact Metrics (where available)

  • According to academic aggregator data, Neupane has over 32 recorded publications in NPRC or related multidisciplinary outlets, with an h-index ≈ 2 within that journal context, and a growing citation presence.
  • His bibliometric studies are increasingly visible for mapping disciplinary trends, making them useful reference points for future research in aggression and public health scholarship.

Summary

Dr. Dasarath Neupane’s publication profile reflects a scholar who:

  • Integrates qualitative literary insights with quantitative bibliometric methods.
  • Engages in applied research in education, management, and sustainability.
  • Builds interdisciplinary collaborations that enrich research on aggression, literature, consumer behaviour, and organizational science.
  • Guides scholarly discourse through editorial leadership, especially in Nepal’s multidisciplinary research ecosystem.



Monday, February 9, 2026

Sustainability of Water Supply Projects

 

Sustainability of Water Supply Projects

 

Dhundi Raj Dahal, PhD

dhundi_raj2000@yahoo.com

 

Received: January 10, 2024; Revised & Accepted: June 22, 2024

Copyright: Dahal (2024)

  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License.

 

 

Abstract

Sustainability is one of the major issues for Water Supply and Sanitation activities/ projects. The project should have the measuring tools for the sustainable part. Water supply is one of the basic needs for human beings with all living things may come first air then water or soil in the universe to sustain. Sustainability indicators of water supply projects was determined by three major dimensions (i) technical, (ii) Socio-environmental, and (iii) Institutional [15]. Other aspects, functionality has divided with requirements, actions, and results. Sustainability is the combination of functionality index and sustainability dimensions on a fifty-fifty percent shearing base. The research has developed sustainability tools on the basis of available literatures and practical experiences. The tools have developed.  The project study has to take consideration for the sustainability from the pre-feasibility study, feasibility, detail study.

Keywords: Water supply, study, operation and maintenance, sustainability, functionality

 सारांश

पानी आपूर्ति र सरसफाइ गतिविधि/परियोजनाहरूको लागि टिकाउपन एक प्रमुख मुद्दा हो। परियोजनासँग टिकाउ पक्षको मापन उपकरणहरू हुनु पर्छ। पानी आपूर्ति मानव जीवनका साथै समस्त प्राणीका लागि एक आधारभूत आवश्यकता हो, जसको महत्व वायु र माटो पछिको स्थानमा आउँछ। पानी आपूर्ति परियोजनाहरूका टिकाउपन सूचकहरू तीन प्रमुख आयामहरूद्वारा निर्धारण गरिएको छ: (i) प्राविधिक, (ii) सामाजिक-वातावरणीय, र (iii) संस्थागत [१५]। अन्य पक्षहरूमा, कार्यक्षमतालाई आवश्यकताहरू, कार्यहरू, र परिणामहरूमा विभाजन गरिएको छ। टिकाउपन भनेको कार्यक्षमता सूचकाङ्क र टिकाउपन आयामहरूको पचास-पचास प्रतिशत आधारमा संयोजन हो। यस अनुसन्धानले उपलब्ध साहित्य र व्यावहारिक अनुभवको आधारमा टिकाउपन उपकरणहरू विकसित गरेको छ। परियोजना अध्ययनले पूर्व-व्यवहार्यता अध्ययन, व्यवहार्यता, विस्तृत अध्ययन देखि नै टिकाउपनको विचार गर्नु पर्छ।

कुञ्जीशब्दहरू: पानी आपूर्ति, अध्ययन, सञ्चालन र मर्मतसम्भार, टिकाउपन, कार्यक्षमता

Introduction

Sustainability is required in each and every step of the activities. Sustainability is one of the major issues for Water Supply and Sanitation Projects (WSSP). One has to take consideration for the sustainability from the pre-feasibility study, feasibility, detail project report (DPR) of the study, construction period, and operation and maintenance phase. The study team for any construction must think about the sustainable part from the very beginning to the life of the project. There is always a problem finding the measuring tools for this issue in water supply projects even though the word sustainability is socio technical. Any project should have the measuring tools for the sustainable part. Water supply is one of the basic needs for human beings with all living things may come first air then water or soil in the universe to survive.

 

Water is one of the fundamental needs to keep the body alive, because the body needs nutrients and water to work properly. However, billions of people in the world still lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation. According to sustainable goal report 2021, 2 billion (26%) people lack safely managed drinking water, 3.6 billion people lack safely managed sanitation, and 2.3 billion people lack basic hygiene. 129 countries are still not on track to have sustainably managed water resources by 2030 [1].   

In this context the research paper has developed the sustainable measuring tools for the completed or substantial completed water supply project.

 

1.     Literature Review and Research Methods

Mukharjee et. al (2003) described sustainability based on the publication of WSP & IRC (2003) as the satisfactory functioning and effective use of services, and equity for men and women, rich and poor everyone having equal access to benefits from projects. Another publication of IRC by Schouten et.al., (2003) included as a part of sustainability that a statement, a system that reliable sustainability met the needs of 80 % of the population wile leaving the poorest 20 % unserved cannot be counted a success [2]. The incorporation of a measure of social equity in the definition of sustainability.

Three Pillars of Sustainability

Since 1980s, when three pillars as (i) economic, (ii) social, and (iii) environmental of sustainability widely popularized in business, government agencies, and other organizations, applied in practice [3].  

Sustainability

Economic

Social

Environment

Figure 1: Three Pillars of Sustainability

Source: Moore, 2017

UNESCO Sustainability

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has played a key role in the development of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs. It has adopted four pillars (i) Social equity, (ii) Economic development, (iii) Environmental protection, and (iv) Cultural/Human sustainability [4].

 

UN Sustainable Development Goal

Development agenda of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG6) envisions universal sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene and elimination of open defecation by 2030 A.D. The targets of SDG6 for 2030 are [1]:

Target 6.1: By 2030 A.D., achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

Target 6.2: By 2030 A.D., achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

Target 6.3: By 2030 A.D., improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

Target 6.4: By 2030 A.D., substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.

Target 6.5: By 2030 A.D., implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.

Target 6.6: By 2030 A.D., protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.

Target 6.A: By 2030 A.D., expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programs, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies.

Target 6.B: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

 

Water Supply Sustainability in Global context

The European Union, America and Africa has discussed on water quality concern more than other issues like sustainability though in western countries there is no problems experienced of uncertainty.

The Dutch Drinking Water Decree outlines the legal requirements for drinking water quality. Limits on the concentrations of lead (10 micrograms per liter) and mercury (1 microgram per liter) in drinking water are among these regulations. The European Drinking Water Directive is the foundation for these standards. The evaluation's findings show that the Drinking Water Directive is a crucial piece of legislation that protects the quality of drinking water in European member states [5].

The Drinking Water Directive (EU 2020/2184), generally known as the Drinking Water Directive, has begun to be implemented in Finland. Making sure there is safe drinking water is the directive's main goal. This will be accomplished by looking at the drinking water quality standards established through risk management. The entire water production and distribution system, from raw water to tap water delivered to customers, must be considered throughout the risk assessment process. The World Health Organization's recommendations are typically revised together with the quality recommendations for drinking water at Finland [5].

Primary and secondary drinking water regulations exist in the USA. The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) are primary criteria and treatment methods that are legally enforceable for public water systems. Toxin levels in drinking water are reduced by primary standards and treatment methods, protecting public health. The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs), developed by the EPA, define obligatory water quality limits for pollutants in drinking water [6].

 

Sustainability context in Nepal

The sustainability of water supply has evaluated in the context of water quality, quantity required by the users, and consistency of water supply service to the consumers have reviewed from the article published in Wash journal in 2023 [7]. The water quantity has been estimated that the urban water supply needs 100 liters to 120 liters that the project usually decides. Consistency has not been fixed yet but there are 24 hours in 360 days also found morning and evening service with enough quantity. Alternately, the supply water available whenever the consumers require is the consistency of supply. Normally, it depends on reasonably earlier repair in major and minor leakage in the system.

Government of Nepal (GoN) was committed for the provision of basic level water supply and sanitation facilities to all citizens by 2017. Water and sanitation are recognized as fundamental human rights [8].

 

Water Quality context in Nepal

Initially, GoN had adopted World Health Organization (WHO) standard for drinking water purpose but limited in theory only. It could not be made effective. After this effort, it had developed water quality standard in 2005, it stated that the existing water supplies not meeting National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) will be improved in phased manner with appropriate treatment measures.

The Government of Nepal (GoN) has developed and made it mandatory to comply with its provisions in all new water supply systems and has triggered a water quality improvement in urban and rural water supplies, in 2022, GoN updated the National Drinking Water Quality Standards. The updated version has two tables Table ‘Ka’ and Table ‘Kha’. The parameters whose test is compulsory listed in table ‘Ka’ however, some other parameters are added in the Table ‘Kha’ according to risk and necessity of parameters for the test [9].

Salyankot Water Supply Project was studied on post-earthquake scenario during earthquake period 2015 by Mr. Shah with the dimensions as i) Technical, ii) Socio-environmental, iii) Institutional, and iv) Cost Recovery with corresponding core factors contributing for sustainability, these dimensions were identified [10]. 

Mangardh Water Supply Scheme was evaluated the water supply coverage aspect. The study was overall performance; technical performance, financial performance(tariff collection), and institutional performance (functionality index) with implementation status on the base of water safety plan (WSP) referring to the risk factor by Joshi et.al in 2020 [11].

 

Functionality

Performance is the attainment or fulfilment or functionality in the context of any development action. It also shows the sustainability part of the development project or action [12].

Institutional performance was evaluated on Dhankuta Water Supply Project by A.K. Mishra using water safety plan developed by DWSS/NMIP, 2014. The indicators were (i) WUSC registration, (ii) Own staff for maintenance, (iii) O & M fund, (iv) WUSC meetings, (v) Efficient water tariff collection, (vi) Records keeping, (vii) Spare tools & fittings, (viii) Implementation of water safety plan, (ix) Water supply service reliability, and (x) Accessibility with 100 unit of marks in Likert scale measurement [13].

Er. Ajita Devkota studied Anbukhaireni Water Supply and Sanitation Project in 2023 and found the performance which was analyzed based on the quality of water supply, reliability, and sufficiency, in which quality of water supply measured in accordance with the National Drinking Water Quality Standards [14].

 

Research Methods

Sustainability of water supply and sanitation projects has been reviewed on the past studies. The projects/ schemes have been tried to re-evaluate with the available tools. The practical experiences have fitted in the tools and further improved in detail so that there could be eased to evaluate without biasness.

The developed tools have further tested and found reliable to measure sustainable using Likert scale experience outcome from more than fifty water supply projects in Nepal. The findings have been discussed hereunder.   

The developed tools have chances of 10 per cent bias or 90 per cent level in unbiased. It is improved on the previous versions. Furthermore, this improved tool is easy to use for the water supply and sanitation projects.

 

Sustainability Dimensions

 

Sustainability Dimensions are the highest-level monitoring indicators adopted by WaterAid in Nepal. For water supply and sanitation projects, four monitoring dimensions are used (i) technical, (ii) socio-environmental, (iii) financial, and (iv) institutional. The dimension is significantly governed by many factors and subfactors. Principles of multi-criteria approaches, each set of criteria is rated depending upon its potential contribution or its significance in making the case sustainable. The weights given to dimensions, factors and sub-factors were determined through participatory methods involving sector professionals and field workers [15].

 

Conceptual Framework

Sustainability indicators of water supply projects was determined by three major dimensions (i) technical, (ii) Socio-environmental, and (iii) Institutional [15]. Next, functionality has divided with requirements, actions, and results. Sustainability is the combination of functionality index and sustainability dimensions.

The research design has been conceptualized as sustainability has two pillars (i) Functionality index, and (ii) Sustainability indicators with sub-indication as figured below.

 

 

 

Sustainability of the Projects/Actions

Functionality

Sustainability Index

Requirements

Actions

Results

Technical

Socio-environmental

Institutional

WUSC Registered, WUSC meetings, and Record keeping

Own Staff, O& M Fund, and Tariff Collection

Tools & Fittings, Water Safety Plan, Reliability, and Accessibility

Verification of QARQ (Quantity, Accessibility, Reliability, and Quality) level and physical status of the system

Health benefits (including water borne diseases) Time save, Environmental benefits, and GESI aspects 

Operation and functioning of Users Committee, Skilled Technicians, O & M practice, and Financial aspects (O & M cost, Institutional support, Capital cost recovery/ upgrading the system)

 

Figure 2: Conceptual Framework of Research Sustainability

Source: Author, 2024

 

2.     Results and Discussions

Functionality

Functionality index for Water Supply and Sanitation Projects (WSSP).

 

Table 1: Functionality index table

Indicator

Sub-indicators

Weightage

Not Serviceable

Up to 20%

20%-50%

50%-80%

80%-100%

Very Bad

Bad

Satisfactory

Good

Very Good

0-5

1

2

3

4

5

Requirements (R)9/

WSUC Registered

 

Not Registered

Registered but not Renewed & Audited

Audited but not renewed

Renewed & GB till 2 yrs. back

Renewed & GB conducted

Yes (5), No (0)

1

2

3

4

5

WSUC Meetings

 

No meetings or once in a year meeting

Meeting in the desires of Chairperson

Regular less than tri-monthly meetings

Regular  tri-monthly meetings

Regular monthly meetings

Regular Yes (5), No (0)

1

2

3

4

5

Record keeping

 

Rarely record keeping of connection & Tariff

Record keeping of connection & Tariff in random system

Poorly records keepings, records are available but audited till before last year

Meetings, Water connection and tariff records keeping till last months

WUSC meetings, Staff meetings, Water connection and tariff updated records keeping

Proper (5), No (0

1

2

3

4

5

Action (A)

Having own staff with maintenance workers

 

No Staff

Poorly Staff hired with in daily wise basis

Poorly Staff hired with in monthly basis

Poorly managed Enough Staff

Sufficient staff with Job description

Yes (5), No (0)

1

2

3

4

5

O & M Fund Management

 

No fund

Poorly allocated fund for O & M

Fund  less than 3% of the Construction Cost

Fund  about 5% of the Construction Cost

Sufficient fund more than 5% of the Construction Cost

Sufficient (5), No (0)

1

2

3

4

5

Efficient water tariff collection

 

No tariff collection system

Poorly managed tariff collection system up to 40% of the billings

Tariffs collection 40-80%

Tariffs collection 80-95%

Tariffs collection 95% or more

Yes (5), No (0)

1

2

3

4

5

Tools and fittings reserve

 

No tools & spare parts

Tools are available but no spare parts

Poorly manage tools & spare parts

 Good managed tools & spare parts

 Well managed tools & spare parts stock for 3 months

Sufficient (5), No (0)

1

2

3

4

5

Results (R)

Water Safety Plan

Functional (5), Nonfunctional (0)

1

2

3

4

       5

Reliability (360 days’ supply)

 

Rarely Water Supply

Poorly Water Supply

Safe Water Supply in 4hrs (2mor +2eve)/360

Safe Water Supply in 8hrs (4mor +4eve)/360

Safe Water Supply in 24/360

Yes (5), Six month (0)

1

2

3

4

5

Accessibility of supply

 

Rarely Water Supply time to collect more than 30 min.

Poorly Water Accessible on the court yards with public tapstands within 30 min.

Manageable Water Accessible on the court yards

Sufficient Water Accessible on the court yards

Sufficient Water Accessible on the top of 3 story building

15 minutes (5), More than 30 minutes (0)

1

2

3

4

5

 

The calculation score of functionalities will be higher to the lower based on risk factors as the indicators of the index.

The calculation of sustainability will be in weighted 50% for functionality and 50% for Sustainability dimension for the whole activities or project considering risk factors.

 

Sustainability Dimensions

Sustainability index or dimension of Water Supply and Sanitation Projects (WSSP) has been modified in the three-pillar system as (i) Technical, (ii) Socio-environmental, and (iii) Institutional as stated earlier.

 

Table 2: Sustainability Dimension Table

Sustainability Dimensions

 Sub-Dimensions

Weightage

V. Bad

Bad

Satisfactory

Good

Very Good

1

2

3

4

5

 

Quantity of water

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

 

 

%

30-

40+

50+

80+

90+

 

 

 

 

Technical

 

 

 

 

 

Physical Quality of water

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Nos. 5 compulsory(C) +1=6 of parameter within limit 

2C-

2C+

3C+

5C

6/6

Chemical Quality of water

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

 Nos. 12 compulsory(C) +1=13 of parameter within limit  

5-

5+

7+

12

13/13

Biological Quality of water

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

  Microbial parameter % samples within limit 

50-

50+

80

95

100

Reliability of water supply

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

 

As per risks 

Physical status/ Structures of the system

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

As per risks 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Institutional

 

 

 

Timely General Assembly

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

 As per risks 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Tariff collection System

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Active involvement of WUSC team

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Record keeping Mechanism

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Community Technicians for O&M

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

 

Socio-environmental

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gender Equity and Social Inclusion status in team

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Social

Security Risk for woman

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Environmental Health status/water borne diseases after the project

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Managing Operation and Maintenance fund

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Tariff collection

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

 Collection in % 

Less than 20

20-40

40-60

60-80

80-100

Economy Availability of fund from local bodies and others organization

1-5

1

2

3

4

5

Source: Author, 2024

 

Risks will be categorized by the researcher as the sustainability sub-dimensions of the system. The score of the risks will be prejudiced as the higher to the lower.

 

Conclusion and Recommendation

The project sustainability will be adopted in weighted 50% for functionality index and 50% for Sustainability dimension for the whole activities or project considering risk factors. The criteria has been fixed as per the experience on water supply and sanitation projects with reviewing the available literature.

Sustainability is one of the serious issues for Water Supply and Sanitation Projects (WSSP). One has to take consideration for the sustainability from the pre-feasibility study, feasibility, detail study. Further research and criteria could be reviewed for the project, as per the time advanced and complexity come to the situation.

 

References

[1]

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[2]

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[3]

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[4]

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[9]

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[10]

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[11]

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[12]

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