Convincing community on water source disputes

Disputes on ownership and priority of use are common in Nepal, because many villages, irrigation systems and water mills depend on the same spring or stream. As a team member, I would resolve them through an open, participatory and legal process.

1. Identify all stakeholders: Meet all users (existing drinking water users, farmers, mill owners, upstream and downstream villages, women, Dalit and marginalised groups, the local government and ward committees).
2. Measure the source jointly: Do the dry-season discharge measurement together with the users, so that everyone sees how much water exists and how much can be taken without harming others.
3. Document the present uses: List traditional rights and uses (irrigation turns, mills, ritual use) and record them in an agreement.
4. Explain the national priority: Under the Water Resources Act 2049 and the Water Resources Regulation, drinking water and domestic use have the first priority, followed by irrigation, agriculture, hydropower and other uses.
5. Seek win-win options: Leave an agreed share for downstream users (for example, the spring overflow goes to irrigation), build a storage tank to use the night flow, look for another source, or reduce losses.
6. Community meetings and mediation: Hold meetings and involve the Water Users' Committee, ward chair, local leaders and, if needed, the District Water Resources Committee for mediation.
7. Written agreement: Sign a written agreement with the consent of the users, and register the Water Users' Association and the water right with the local government.
8. Social awareness: Show the health and time-saving benefits, assure a fair distribution of taps, and make users part of the operation and maintenance.
9. Include the matter in the feasibility report with a source-sharing plan and monitoring arrangement.