The residents of Tashichhoeling Gewog in Samtse are drinking the same water, which has been declared unfit for human consumption about six years ago. Also, with their water source drying up during the winter season, they are grappling with water shortage.
The water source is about 20 minutes uphill drive far from Gola town, and it is not much of a water source. The river, almost dry, is barricaded at different points upstream to feed the water pipes of Royal Bhutan Army, Rabdey, school, Gola town, and other peripheral areas.
“From what I have heard, when they tested this water before, it was declared unfit for drinking. Its quality isn’t so bad despite them finding bacteria in this water. Now, whether it is bad or not for drinking, we have no other options,” Samir Giri, the Tashichhoeling Gup, said.
The little water they have needs to feed close to 250 households. This is done by releasing water once during the day and once during the night.
“If we don’t do this, people who stay far away won’t get water. We have a big drinking water problem. No matter how hard we work, we haven’t been able to supply adequate water to our people,” the Gup added.
“We heard we would be supplied drinking water from Biru river. We were happy but it has been a few years now, pipes have been fitted but the project hasn’t been successful. We don’t understand why this hasn’t realized yet,” Ram Bakta Parajuli from Tashichhoeling Gewog said.
The Gola Town Water Supply Project from Biru River has reached the reservoir tank near the Gola town but distribution from the reservoir is yet to start.
The Tashichhoeling Drungkhag Administration said works to connect the final distribution pipes are expected to begin by mid-June, this year. And it’s expected to take another year before drinking water starts flowing from the pipes.
