The data, part of the Nepal Multiple Indicator Survey (MICS) 2024-25 shows that faecal coliforms and E. coli – bacteria typically found in human and animal faeces – are rampant in water samples collected at the household level.

A damning new national report has exposed a severe public health crisis in Nepal, revealing that more than 60 per cent of households across the country are consuming drinking water contaminated with sewage. Despite years of government pledges to provide “safe and clean” water, the findings suggest that the nation’s water infrastructure is failing to protect citizens from deadly pathogens.

The data, part of the Nepal Multiple Indicator Survey (MICS) 2024-25 shows that faecal coliforms and E. coli – bacteria typically found in human and animal faeces – are rampant in water samples collected at the household level. The presence of these microbes serves as a direct indicator of sewage seepage into the drinking water supply.

The “Improved Source” Paradox

One of the most startling revelations of the MICS report is the disconnect between “access” and “safety.” According to the survey, 98.2 per cent of the population now has access to an “improved source” of drinking water, such as piped water, tube wells, or protected springs. However, the report highlights that “improved” does not mean “potable.”

“The report shows almost everyone drinks water from an improved source, yet over 60 per cent of samples were contaminated with deadly microbes,” said an official at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), who requested anonymity. “This means the so-called improved sources have yet to be truly improved. The pipes are leaking, the reservoirs are unprotected, and the treatment processes are either non-existent or failing.”

Public health experts argue that while the government has focused on the quantity of water and the expansion of pipe networks, it has neglected the quality of the water flowing through them.

A Persistent Public Health Threat

The contamination is not just a statistical concern; it translates into a heavy burden of disease. Every year, thousands of Nepalis suffer from water-borne illnesses, including dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A and E, and cholera.

Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the clinical research unit at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, noted that while the presence of E. coli in Nepal’s water is a long-standing issue, the scale reported in the MICS survey is “alarming.”

“When 60 per cent of the population is drinking water contaminated with sewage, we are essentially living on the edge of a perpetual epidemic,” Dr. Pun said. “During the monsoon season, these figures often spike as rainwater carries even more waste into the water sources. Even bottled water, which many middle-class families rely on as a ‘safe’ alternative, has frequently tested positive for pathogenic microbes in past laboratory checks.”

The report also shed light on child mortality rates, which are closely linked to water quality and sanitation. It revealed that 17 newborns out of every 1,000 die before reaching one month of age, and 31 die before reaching five years – many due to preventable diarrheal diseases.

Urbanization and Aging Infrastructure

The crisis is particularly acute in urban centers like the Kathmandu Valley. Rapid, unplanned urbanization has led to a situation where sewage lines often run parallel to or even intersect with aging drinking water pipes. During the rainy season, pressure changes and cracked pipes allow sewage to seep into the drinking water supply.

The much-touted Melamchi Drinking Water Project, designed to solve the capital’s water woes, has faced consistent “stop-start” supply issues due to natural disasters and technical failures. This has forced residents to rely on tankers, public taps, and stone sprouts, many of which are heavily contaminated.

Furthermore, the national public health laboratory has warned that even “jar water” – sold in 20-liter containers to millions of households – is frequently contaminated. Poor hygiene in refilling centres and the reuse of damaged jars contribute to the spread of bacteria.

Sanitation vs. Safety

Ironically, Nepal has made significant strides in sanitation. The MICS report notes that 92.4 per cent of household members use improved sanitation facilities, and the country was declared “Open Defecation Free” (ODF) several years ago.

However, experts point out that having a toilet does not mean the waste is being managed safely. In many areas, septic tanks are not built to standard or are connected directly to local rivers. “We have moved the waste from the fields to the pipes, but those pipes are now leaking into our drinking water,” said a water management researcher.

The Path Forward

The MICS 2024-25 study, conducted by the national statistics office (NSO) in partnership with UNICEF, is intended to help the government monitor progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under SDG 6, Nepal is committed to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

To meet these goals, health authorities are urging immediate action:

• Mandatory Testing: Strengthening the national drinking water quality standards and holding water suppliers – both public and private – accountable through regular testing.
• Infrastructure Reform: Prioritising the repair of leaking pipe networks and the separation of sewage and water lines in urban areas.
• Public Awareness: Encouraging households to treat water through boiling or filtration, regardless of whether it comes from a pipe, a well, or a bottle.

As the government prepares for the upcoming United Nations 2026 water conference, this report serves as a stark reminder that for the majority of Nepalis, the fundamental right to clean water remains an unfulfilled promise.