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The first-ever chemical-free water treatment plant, built using modern technology to treat water without chemicals, has been handed over to the Dhulikhel Municipality on last Friday.

The plant has been installed at the Thadokhola water source.

The project was developed with technical assistance from the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China.

Dhulikhel Municipality and NAST collaborated to install the facility at a cost of around Rs 20 million, according to Dhulikhel Municipality.

The treatment facility can process up to 150,000 litres of water daily, informed Arjun Prasad Neupane, Chairperson of Dhulikhel Municipality-2.

More than 1,200 local residents from 114 households are expected to benefit from the facility, said Neupane, adding that it was installed in line with the concept of 'one household, one tap'.

NAST senior scientist administrator Tista Prasai Joshi claimed that such technology has been implemented in Nepal for the first time.

According to Joshi, the project was initiated in 2023 and completed in 2026.

"Since the technology does not involve chemicals to filter water, it is useful for rural areas and places where adequate water treatment facilities are lacking," observed Joshi.

Joshi mentioned that electrolysis, magnetic sand and ultraviolet (UV) light technologies are used in the treatment process.

According to her, these technologies deactivate germs and other microorganisms in the water and help remove turbidity.

Following the handover, Dhulikhel Municipality has been entrusted with the operation, supervision and maintenance of the facility.

Municipality Mayor Nirajan Jangam expressed confidence that local residents would have access to clean drinking water once the facility comes into operation.

He said the project was taken forward in line with the motto of 'one household, one tap', using water from the local spring.