Bottlers Nepal, CIUD launch 'Artificial Groundwater Recharge Project' at Civil Service Hospital

KATHMANDU: A new 'Artificial Groundwater Recharge Project' was launched on Wednesday at Civil Service Hospital in a joint initiative by Bottlers Nepal and the Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD).

Representatives from Civil Service Hospital, Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal (CCBN) and CIUD attended the ceremony. According to CIUD, the scheme aims to address falling groundwater levels and rising urban flooding in Kathmandu. The system will capture rainwater and storm runoff across a catchment of about 4,345 square metres and is expected to replenish nearly 6.25 million litres of groundwater each year while helping to reduce localised flooding.

"We are happy to have Coca-Cola and CIUD's initiation of replenishing groundwater in our hospital area, as this gives direct benefits to the communities around the hospital. We look forward to more such assistance through their socially responsible programmes that benefit society in the future,' said Achyut Raj Regmi, Under Secretary of Civil Service Hospital.

The project builds on earlier groundwater recharge efforts at Ranibari (Ward 3, Kathmandu Metropolitan City), UCEP in Thimi Municipality, Rajdal Army Barrack in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Balaju Park (Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward 16) and Wards 22 and 25. The initiative is a public-private partnership model that can be scaled to other institutions across the valley.

Project partners said the recharge system is intended as a replicable model for hospitals, schools, government offices and other public institutions, contributing to long-term groundwater conservation and improved urban water management.

Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal noted its ongoing collaborations with WaterAid Nepal, CIUD, Smart Paani and Splash on integrated water management projects, and highlighted community programmes such as 'Saksham', which provides training and support to women retailers. CIUD said it works with municipalities and communities to implement solutions in urban planning, climate resilience, water security and sanitation.