The Chubachu stream in Thimphu is found to be highly contaminated with bacteria known as E.coli (Escherichia coli), according to a recent thermotolerant coliform test. The test revealed more than 50,000 E.coli per 100-millilitre of water in the stream.
The Royal Society for Protection Nature (RSPN) in collaboration with the Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC) in Serbithang conducted the water test for three years from 2017 to 2019. It was done to assess the contamination and status of the stream.
E. coli in water is a strong indication of recent sewage or animal waste contamination, which may contain many types of disease-causing organisms.
The acceptable point is zero E.coli per 100 millilitres of water meaning if the E.coli content is zero, then it is safe for human consumption.
But the report found that the Chubachu stream is used for the domestic purpose by the nearby settlements.
“Because of the sewerage, the thermotolerant and E.coli content is high. There are about 30 temporarily toilets built along the stream. And other reasons are because of the dead animals being disposed of in the stream and food and vegetable wastes dumped in the stream,” Kinley Tenzin, the Executive Director of RSPN, said.
Despite the adoption of the stream and cleaning campaign being conducted monthly, people still dump the waste in the stream.
“What we lack is the civic sense. Most of the people are aware but despite the fact, people still throw waste in the river at the subconscious level. Consciously I think people know,” Kinley Tenzin said.
The report recommends removal of the temporary toilets, installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and imposing penalties to keep the stream clean.
