The residents of Bjimithang in Punakha are still waiting for their homes to have access to drinking water. The Nu 8 M worth water project which began in 2020 was supposed to bring water to the village but it has also failed to serve its purpose. Without a reliable water supply, people are resorting to nearby ponds and rivers for water.
Fetching water from a water source located a few hundred meters away from his house has become a daily work for 74-year-old Kinley Phub of Bjimithang village under Dzomi Gewog in Punakha. Lucky for him, there are not many people today. Most of the time, Kinley says he has to wait for hours in line to fill his containers with water. He says the water is not safe for consumption but they have no other option than to use this water for various purposes.
“We have a lot of people who are facing water shortage here. We have so many children and people who need to take care of their health and hygiene as well. Most of the villagers go to the nearby rivers to wash clothes,” said Kinley Phub. “For us, it is difficult. Carrying such containers to fetch water is a difficult task now.”
According to the locals, about four different water sources were identified to help solve the water problems in the village to date. However, the problem remains the same with residents continuing to struggle for a good supply of water.
“At times we are bringing water from Thimphu too. We bring it in a bus to Khuruthang, and from there, we bring it to our home in a taxi by paying about two hundred ngultrum,” said another Bjimithang resident, Namgay Lham. “With annual rituals happening everywhere, we are worried whether we can even conduct our rituals properly this time.”
“For now, we are drinking and using the water from the temporary pipeline that we connected from the nearby pond. But now the pond is also drying up. As such, it is difficult to maintain health and hygiene at home,” said Yangchen Tshomo.
“Despite our busy schedule, we have contributed both money and our energy to construct the reservoir tank. We had high hopes but it seems to be of no use now,” said Dawa Zangmo. “It has been more than one year now since we constructed the tank. We had water only once.”
Besides discouraging winter vegetable cultivation, this has also hampered the construction works in the village. Most of the ongoing works to construct toilets in the village have been put on a hold.
“Since all the cement works need enough water, we could not complete most of our construction works. We could have used the water from the nearby water channel if we had any,” said Kinley Phub.
“Of course, we have received an order from the government to construct and maintain a flush toilet. But we could not complete the construction works as there is no water,” said Namgay Lhamo.
The residents said they have also been falling sick due to a lack of access to clean drinking water.
“We are frequently getting sick with waterborne diseases and cough and cold. This is especially affecting our children and elderly people,” said Dawa Zangmo. “We have to visit the hospital at least two to three times a week.”
According to the Gewog Administration, the 22-kilometre-long water project could not supply water due to the frequent bursting of pipes at various locations. Moreover, the Gup said that the water pipes would frequently be stolen.
The Gewog Administration, however, is in the process of consulting with the people to see the feasibility of restoring the water supply soon.
“Our people are suggesting changing the alignments of pipes and discussing laying it out through the cliff directly. But I could not decide directly concerning its future sustainability,” said Dzomi Gup Dawa Tashi. “However, to address the water issue, we have decided to hold one final consultation meeting with the people of Chiwog soon.”
The Gup says the whole drinking water issue is expected to be solved if this plan becomes successful. If not, the Gup says the Gewog Administration will explore the possibilities of relocating the current water source. Besides Bjimithang village, several other villages of the Gewog are also experiencing similar water shortage issues.
Changa Dorji, Punakha.
