Officials at the KUKL say that they are in the process of designating the smaller supply links. “We have already segregated the larger areas and trying to manage smaller pipelines” said KUKL General Manager Chandra Lal Nakarmi. “Our branch offices have already identified the localities. Now, we are preparing a format for the schedule.”

After numerous complaints from consumers and lawmakers, the KUKL had promised to bring out a proper water supply schedule this week.

“The authorities have promised to make public the revised schedule by Wednesday. If a full-fledged schedule is not ready, they could at least make a trial run,” said lawmaker Nabindra Raj Joshi.

Earlier this month, a team led by Joshi submitted a memorandum to the KUKL seeking assurance of smooth water supply in the Capital. Citing critical anomalies in water supply affecting thousands of consumers, one of the demands in the memorandum was to promptly release a supply schedule. The KUKL had planned a fifteen-day test schedule and assess the impact and make necessary improvements before releasing a full fledged routine. Although the KUKL had released a supply schedule earlier too, it was largely ineffective due to imbalance between water production and supply.

The KUKL authorities claimed that it was taking longer this time around as they were preparing a more detailed schedule. “We are doing proper homework for this schedule which is very time consuming,” said Nakarmi, adding. “The new schedule will ensure regular water supply to the valley consumers twice a week. According to him, the new supply schedule will be posted on the KUKL website.

Last year, the KUKL had hiked water tariff by more than double, from Rs 77.50 to Rs 150 for 10,000 litres per month. Households without supply metre are charged as much as Rs 835 for the same volume of water. Currently, the KUKL supplies barely 60 million litres of water daily (MLD) while the demand stands at 350 MLD.