Expertise: Water Quality, Hydrogeology, Ground water
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords:
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
Nepal has abundant renewable water resources. The annual rainfall varies from 500 mm/year in some
western areas to more than 4,000 mm/year on the southern slopes of the Himalayan range, with 70-80%
occurring in the summer monsoon and generating runoff to more than 6,000 watercourses. High rainfall
generally gives rise to abundant water supplies, at least seasonally, and surface water and groundwater
are important sources for domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses. Groundwater is abundant in the
Terai and the Kathmandu Valley aquifers, while groundwater is more limited in populated hill regions. In
intra-mountain valleys such as Kathmandu, groundwater occurs in well-defined and sometimes isolated
basins. In contrast, groundwater in the Terai plains south of the Himalayan Mountain ranges forms a part
of the larger system operating in theIndo-Gangetic plains.
Extensive groundwater development for irrigation in the Terai started in the 1960s, and today,
groundwater serves most of the area’s population for drinking and irrigation purposes. Groundwater
development was low-cost and initially did not lead to conflicts. Consequently, abstraction increased
without any specific plan or resource management, gradually leading to stress on the resource.
Today, almost half of Nepal’s population lives in the Terai and depends solely on groundwater for their
drinking needs. There are growing challenges facing groundwater security in the region, including issues
around year-round reliability, increasing instances of water insecurity, and growing concerns over its
quality. Data available on the quality of deep ground-waters in the Terai, show the presence of arsenic
as a major health contaminant apart from the prevalence of iron, manganese, and ammonium.
Given the strategic value of groundwater in the Terai and the significant risks associated with its
contamination and growing water stress, this study aims to support the Ministry of Water Supply, and
other relevant stakeholders in assessing groundwater potential, the risks due to contamination, and to
identify possible short- and medium-term solutions.
The specific objectives of the assignment are to:
- Assess the current status of groundwater in the Terai region based on available data and field visit
and observations, including population exposure due to drinking water contamination, identify data gaps
and requirements, and suggest short-term mitigation measures. - Assess the quality and suitability of existing data sources for estimating groundwater contamination
by arsenic in the Terai region. - Validate findings through sampling to identify hotspot districts/areas.
- In priority areas, conduct a groundwater assessment and management plan based on groundwater uses and
future requirements. - Identify capacity requirements for a national groundwater management program and establish investment
recommendations.
Scope of Work
The scope of the work shall include but not limited to:
• Review existing reports and documents, including data on drinking water availability and contamination
(specifically on Arsenic concentrations) available with different agencies and preparation of
preliminary report.
• Mapping of the spatial distribution of tube wells, tube well discharge, and water quality
characteristics, specifically emphasizing arsenic concentration and groundwater estimation.
• Draw up a sampling plan and field testing program for existing wells ensuring representativeness at
the ground level and validate the field test results. Review of existing arsenic removal practices.
• Ground water sampling and water quality tests in Government accredited Laboratories. Validation of
water quantity and quality status in priority areas / hot-spots, specifically for cluster of villages
and towns.
• Hydro-geological investigations and pump out tests in diverse geological settings and prepare sub-
surface lithology and water quality tests and monitoring of ground water.
• Development of a (pilot) simulated groundwater numerical flow and transport model.
• Development of ground water management plan (GWMP) for priority areas, emphasizing on water stress,
ground water availability and quality.
• Recommend mitigation measures for arsenic and other contaminants including a program of measures for
the utilization and protection of groundwater resources, with specific recommendations for managing
arsenic contamination (short, mid, and long-term).
• Prepare an investment plan for the medium to long run, including the sustainable development,
management, and restoration/protection of the water sources, based on the local authority’s plans, and
in line with the national sector development plans.
• Undertake capacity-building program, for Ground water resources development board (GWRDB), GoN and
Department of Water and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), GoN.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The consultant for this position will act as the Hydro-geologist and shall Coordinate with the Team
Leader and other team experts for all deliverables for the assignment. The consultant will carry out,
but not limited to the following tasks:
- Support and complement the activities of the Team Leader and the team members to draw up the pilot
drilling and yield testing program; - Support the Team Leader in preparation of the Inception report (and Desk-top study report and
available ground water resource and quality data and gaps), preparation of periodical progress report
(identify reasons for delay in the field, if any and measures that need to be taken) - Support the Team Leader in field visits for data collection from available sources, and stakeholder
consultations; - Shall be responsible to support all field investigations; pilot drilling, yield testing (if
required); data collection from field and mapping of tube well data; review and report on existing
practices on Arsenic removal. - Ably support the Team Leader in preparation of training material, presentations for the training,
seminars and workshops session; and also, support the capacity building program for Ground water
resources development board (GWRDB), GoN and Department of Water and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), GoN. - Under guidance of the Team Leader, prepare and support the groundwater management plan, including a
program of measures for the utilization and protection of groundwater resources, with specific
recommendations for managing arsenic contamination (short, mid, and long-term). - Support the Team Leader in preparation of the Infrastructure investment plan;
- Other relevant tasks to be decided by the Team Leader.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Master’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Civil Engineering, Groundwater engineering, Earth Sciences or
related subject. Relevant experience in groundwater assessment, monitoring, and modeling including field
investigation experience like drilling, well logging, and pumping tests, etc.
Minimum General Experience: 15 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 10 Years
