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Post-monsoon stream, aquifer and spout interactions in the Kathmandu Valley
Last modified: 2018-07-09
Abstract
Growing population in the Kathmandu Valley (Valley) increases the demand of fresh water. Together with possible influences of climate change (more severe and longer dry season), this can result in shortages of fresh water, most notably at the end of the dry season. Due to high demand and the lack of dry season precipitation the groundwater table is falling, resulting in 88% of the stone spouts running dry during the pre-monsoon 2018. No water can be collected from a dry spout, therefore deeper wells are dug/drilled with the result that the groundwater table lowers even more. The impact of dry spouts and hand-dug wells is most acute for poor and remotely situated residents who struggle to meet their freshwater needs. Not only is this a water quantity issue, water quality is also affected. Infiltration of contaminated surface water into the lower aquifer(s) lead to pollution of the groundwater. During the monsoon season, some spouts are ‘recharged’. We investigated the capability of spouts to be recharged and the situation in and around the spouts during the post-monsoon season. We measured stream level, flow, and quality; groundwater level and quality; and stone spout flow and quality at different locations in the Valley. Gradients between stream level, groundwater level, and spout indicates if a stream is losing or gaining water from/to the aquifer and the spouts. We also explore water quality linkages between streams, groundwater, and spouts.
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