The Wangchhu in Thimphu is highly contaminated at Babesa. This was found while assessing the water quality of the river at three different points. The river assessment was carried out by the Environment Managers, Civil Engineers, and mid-level technicians from different agencies. Factories, industries, leakage of oil and grease from the automobile workshops, dumping waste in the rivers are the main factors contributing towards the river pollution.
The assessment of the river was carried out considering physical, chemical, microbiological and biological characteristics of the river. The Chief of the Water Division from the National Environment Commission, NEC, said the polluted rivers will pose risks to the aquatic life and human health. “The colony forming unit in the river is 428 per ML of water. This means it is highly contaminated. If human or animal consume the water it can serious health related risks,” said Gongsar Karma Chhopel.
The National Environment Commission is working towards framing water regulations where specific and stringent rules will be in place to monitor the water quality.
“We have rules where the workshops are allowed to discharge their waste. But at the moment we act as per the Water Act 2011. But we are now working on the water regulations to monitor and assess the rivers. So if the workshops and factories exceed the permissible limit and discharge the toxics in the rivers they will be dealt as per the regulations. If not followed properly we might even cancel their license,” said the Head of the Water Division, Gongsar Karma Chhopel.
Meanwhile, the water at Cheri was found to be pristine and is classified as class I river. The water at Khasadrapchu was identified as moderately polluted.
