This article examines community-driven multiple use water services (MUS) as pioneered by the Rural
Village Water Resources Management Project (RVWRMP) in the Far and Mid-Western development regions of
Nepal. These regions are characterised by poverty, remoteness, rugged terrain, food insecurity, water scarcity,
and post-conflict legacy. Water provision for domestic and productive uses provides opportunities to address
poverty and livelihoods in environments with highly decentralised governance. This study explores the first-hand
lessons learned in the RVWRMP in Nepal since 2006. This project is embedded within the local government. Key
project entry points are decentralisation, participation and empowerment. This article reflects how the
community-managed systems are used for multiple uses whether they were designed for it or not. It focuses on
household- and community-level changes and related institution building and participatory planning through
Water Use Master Plans and a Step-by-Step approach. Recommendations are made for scaling up multiple use
services.