Dear Ajuyah,

Greetings from Nepal

We would like to thank you for your interesting and valuable questions regarding our presentation. For your kind information, we will like to reply first those questions which are quite clear in our mind. Permit us to reply your questions in sequential order as follows:

>(a)    How long did it take to de-water the biodigester pit prior to
>        construction?.

As the site for biodigester construction happened to be high water table area, it required continuous dewatering to achieve required quality work of masonry work. As the work has to be done slowly and gradually to achieve quality work, it took about three weeks for dewatering process.

>(b)    What was the volume of water that was removed?.

Interesting question! but it needs some time for  calculations

>(c)    How did you disposed of the water?.

The water accumulated inside the biodigester pit was evacuated with the help of a water pump run by diesel.

>(d)    In relation to the water table, apart from de-watering were there
> any other special consideration during construction of  the
>biodigester?

Besides dewatering, the other considerations were to make the whole structure of biodigester more solid and sound from engineering point of view. This means, additional care was taken to make the foundation of the biodigester water tight.

>(e)    What is the effect of the water table on other subsystems, in
>        particular the drying or compost pit.

The effect of water table was not observed in other systems and it did not produce any effect on drying the compost pit which was also constructed more or less water-tight.

>(f)    The soak pit in your flow chart seems redundant as an IBS unit?.

May I request you to little expand your question to make it more clear to us.

>(g)    What is the life span of  compost materials in the compost pit.

The life span of the compost materials is about three months. Two compost pits are constructed close to the biodigester. When the first pit is completely filled with composting materials, it is left for decomposition and drying and then, the second one will be in process of filling. Usually, the decomposed manure can be emptied from the compost pit after each 3 months for application as fertilizer.

>(h)    What is the cost of construction of all the systems? and expected
>        return to capital?

The total cost of construction including all the system is about NRs (Nepali Rupees 340,000 approximately equivalent to US$ 5,000.This pilot project was funded by UNHCR for the benefit of the local people affected by the activities of Bhutanese Refugees. Thus, improvement of environment and sanitation aspects of the local community was taken into consideration rather than capital return aspect.

If you have more questions, please do not hesitate us to write again.

With Best Regards
Karki & Gautam
Consolidated Management Services Nepal (P) Ltd.,
Min Bhawan, New Baneshwor,
GPO Box 10872,
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tel; 00977-1-482201; Fax 00977-1-482008