Siddhipur is a farmers’ village located around 10 km south-east of Kathmandu and has a population of about 6100. The total agriculture land area is 4786 ha. However, agriculture is of subsistence type with very few families involved in commercial agriculture. The main source of income is business and service which is however very limited. Siddhipur is famous for making straw mats, locally known as Suku. Making of these mats is the job of women in their free times. These are sold in the markets of Kathmandu and nearby towns. Weaving is another local occupation and the textiles too are sold in nearby towns. However, only about 30% of the households are able to feed themselves for the whole year from agriculture and other income sources.

Water and sanitation is one of the most serious problems of this village where 52 public stand posts supply untreated water to the entire village and where most of the households do not have adequate and proper toilet facilities. A fast track community-based water supply and sanitation initiative has been undertaken here to provide improved water supply and sanitation and solid waste management facilities to about 7000 people. In addition a mechanism will be developed to serve the ultra poor communities. Moreover, the programme aims to enhance institutional and human resources capacities. Local private sectors will be strengthened for service delivery and to enhance local economic development.

The programme is implemented under close supervision of Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MPPW), Department of Urban Development NS Building Construction (DUDBC) and Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS). Similarly, the programme works in close coordination with Kathmandu Valley Water Management Board (KVWMB). At the local level, water and sanitation users' committee (WSUC) has been formed for the implementation of the programme. The major interventions of the programme are:

Water Supply System: The major component of this programme is improvement and expansion of the existing water supply system. The programme will focus on intake improvements, installation of filtration systems, laying of new trunk pipeline, improvement of the reservoir and improvement and installation of distribution network.

Ecological Sanitation and Septic Tanks: Ecological Sanitation (ECOSAN) has been identified as the best sanitation option for Siddhipur. It separates and recycles nutrients in human urine and faeces providing farmers with organic fertilizers. With ECOSAN, risk of groundwater contamination is minimized and also laying of sewer system is not required. Private and common septic tanks will be established where ECOSAN system is not feasible. A mechanism will be developed for collection and proper disposal of faecal sludge generated from these septic tanks.

Capacity Building: The project will strengthen the capacity of the WSUC to enable them to operate and maintain the water supply and sanitation system in a sustainable manner. Capacity of the local people will also be enhanced through awareness campaigns and trainings.

Solid Waste Management: Community will be trained on waste segregation and on household and community level composting. Training on reuse and recycling of organic waste such as plastics will also be incorporated under this component.

Water and Sanitation Education: Formation of eco-clubs, imparting trainings on water optimization techniques, health, hygiene and sanitation will provide a learning platform for school children. Water education classes will further help them to understand the values of water.

Income generation through Water and Sanitation Services: Local entrepreneurship will be provided to WSUC, individuals especially from poor and marginalised communities and other interested organizations to create opportunities to benefit from water supply and sanitation services.