Annual Review 2020
The Himalayan Trust Annual Review 2020 reflects on an extraordinary year as we faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about: How COVID-19... Read More
Safe water
Water changes everything
Nothing is more important to the health and well-being of communities than safe, clean water.
Ever since the 1960s when Sir Edmund Hillary helped build water tanks for villages in the upper Khumbu valley, improving access to safe drinking water has been a priority for the Himalayan Trust.
We are working with our local partners to bring safe water to more communities in the Everest region.
Thanks to Himalayan Trust supporters, we are currently constructing a safe water system in the villages of Bubsa and Monjo. We have recently completed community water supplies in the villages of Lukla and Musey.
Our water systems:
- are seismic resistant
- pipe safe, clean water directly into homes
- use a sand-filtration system to clean water
- have large water storage tanks to provide water for irrigation
- include fire hydrants
- maintained by a small charge for using the water – local villagers are trained to fix and maintain the system
These safe water projects help improve the health and well-being of entire communities for decades to come.
Give the gift of safe water
Safe water in Musey village
Himalayan Trust supporters helped the community of Musey in the mountainous Solukhumbu region to build a seismic-resistant water system that will supply safe water to homes in the village.
The system was completed in early 2019.
The new water system will pipe water to all 80 houses in the village, and includes a sand filtration system that will mean cleaner, safer water for the whole community. The system also provides water to irrigate crops and two fire hydrants.
New Bupsa water system completed
The new water system in Bupsa is complete! Bubsa is a village on the Everest trail a day’s walk south of Lukla, accessible only on... Read More
Monjo water update
Great progress is being made with construction of the water system in Monjo village. Thanks to Land Rover New Zealand and our amazing supporters, we... Read More
Annual Review 2019
The Himalayan Trust Annual Review 2019 looks back on the year that marked 100 years since the birth of our Founder, Sir Edmund Hillary. Read... Read More
Bubsa water progress
Thanks to our wonderful supporters, and with special support from Land Rover New Zealand, we are building a safe water system in Bubsa village. The... Read More
Water changes everything
Thanks to Land Rover New Zealand and our amazing supporters, the lives of 900 people in the villages of Bubsa and Monjo are being transformed.... Read More
Land Rover brings safe water to Nepal
To celebrate what would have been Sir Ed’s 100th birthday, Land Rover New Zealand will bring safe water to Nepal thanks to their Sir Ed... Read More
Safe water in Musey
Himalayan Trust supporters have helped the community of Musey in the mountainous Solukhumbu region to build a seismic-resistant water system that will supply safe water... Read More
The Lukla Drinking Water Project
With support from the Himalayan Trust, the Lukla Drinking Water project pipes clean, safe water underground to 200 homes and businesses, benefiting 3000 people.
The Lukla community worked incredibly hard to plan, build and invest in a modern, safe drinking water system.
Before the new system, people would have to use unreliable sources of water, often having to walk up to an hour to find water, and queue to fill heavy containers they carried home on their backs.
Investing in the future
While the Himalayan Trust provided seed funding to supplement the community’s own fundraising, the project is now self-sustaining with the use of a water meter system. Everyone pays a monthly bill for the water they use in their own home – and the funds are all invested back into the upkeep and maintenance of the system.
The income raised through the water meter system also funds the training and ongoing employment of two local people as maintenance technicians. Any profits are fed back into community-led and determined projects.
Fire safety
Following the installation of the new water supply in Lukla, locals and school children have been trained in fire safety and the use of fire hydrants to prevent the repeat of devastating fires over the past few years.
In pictures: bringing safe water to homes in the Everest region
Before the new water system, people would have to walk up to an hour to find water, and queue to fill heavy containers they carried home on their backs.
Fire hydrants in Lukla.
Everyone pays a monthly bill for the water they use in their own home – and the funds are all invested back into the upkeep and maintenance of the system.
"Clean water for healthy Lukla"
The Himalayan Trust provided start-up funding for the Lukla Drinking Water project that pipes clean water to 3000 people.
A plaque in Lukla celebrates the completion of the water project.
A special friendship with New Zealand.
Over 30 locals and 60 school children receive training in fire safety.
