Bottlers Nepal and Smart Pani hand over Innovative Water Management Solution to Kanti Children’s Hospital

The Rainwater Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge System project, supported by Bottlers Nepal Limited (authorized bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in Nepal) and implemented by Smart Paani Pvt. Ltd., has been handed over to the Kanti Children's Hospital. The handover ceremony was held at Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj on 16th of July 2019, in the presence of Dr. Ganesh Kumar Rai, Director of Kanti Children’s Hospital, Mr. Pradip Pandey, Managing Director of Bottlers Nepal Limited and Mr. Suman Shakya, Managing Director of Smart Paani Pvt. Ltd. In its relentless approach to creating lasting positive impacts on the communities where it operates, The Coca-Cola Company continues to work on Sustainability efforts including water efficiency, water conservation, water replenishment and integrated water resource management.

With rapid climatic change, global temperature is changing and population is also increasing and with this, the importance of appropriate water management is increasingly vital. Kathmandu sees rainfall for almost six to seven months a year, which should be adequate for a whole year, if harvest can be properly managed. Rainwater harvesting is best described as the technique by which rain water is accumulated and stored with the intention of reusing it during the dry season or when there is a drought. In addition, the technique helps in better management of water for it to not be wasted.

For efficient water management, Rain Water Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge systems have been installed at Kanti Children’s hospital, with the support of Bottlers Nepal Ltd and as executed by SmartPaani Pvt. Ltd.The hospital falls in the north belt of the valley, which is highly suitable for recharge and the project will benefit the surrounding communities dependent on well water by helping to replenish shallow groundwater. In addition, the project helps reduce the stress on the sewage system at the hospital. The current urban floodinghas primarily been due to rainwater flowing to the drain. With implementation of more rainwater recharge projects, solutions to reduction in urban flooding could be achieved.

Dr. Ganesh Kumar Rai, Director, Kanti Children’s Hospital said, "We are grateful to Bottler's Nepal and SmartPaani for including us as a partner in this positive cause for the environment. With this ground water recharge system implemented at our premises, we will be able to manage the drainage systems better, and avoid water logging in the premises. With this initiation, not only our staff but thousands of people who visit our hospital will be more aware about rainwater management.”

Mr. Pradip Pandey, Managing Director of Bottlers Nepal Limited said, "Bottlers Nepal limited remains committed to being a net positive contributor of the precious shared resource, Water, by ensuring effective management of water, conservation of water resources and steward good resource management for healthy watersheds. I am pleased to share that the Rain Water Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge Systems installed in Kanti Children’s Hospital contributes to a better management of rain water and also helps to manage flash floods and storm water management in the vicinity of the hospital. Such efforts have been successful through the right partnerships for which I thank the Hospital management for their positive collaboration and our implementing partner, SmaartPaani Pvt. Ltd.”

Mr. Suman Shakya, Managing Director, Smart Paani Private Limited shared, "SmartPaani has been working around sustainable water solutions since last 8 years. And we have been partnering with Bottler’s Nepal since 2013 to implement urban rainwater recharge solutions at various public sites. Till now we have done 5 projects with them, including Kanti Hospital. With the increase in recent urban flooding problems, systems like these can play a crucial role by managing rainwater where it falls. We hope and urge everyone to be a part of the solution and think of harvesting and recharging rainwater.