The water flagship programme has come as a huge relief for the people of Norbugang village under Norbugang Gewog in Pema Gatshel who had previously faced acute drinking water shortage. However, just a few weeks after the project was handed over to the villagers, they are now dealing with a new problem, a bursting pipeline. The pipeline has to be constantly monitored and repaired.
The water tank below the village is the only water source nearby. Before the tank was built, villagers had to carry water on their backs from a pond located around half an hour’s walk from the village.
The water from the new facility is taken to the village using a pump. It is then stored in a tank which would be enough for the village for around two days. This process is repeated every two days. However, the facility worked properly only for about two weeks. Villagers say the pipes burst at least once a week.
Chedup, who is the caretaker mostly carries out the repair works. When he switches on the pump, the pipe bursts and leaks water at least once a week.
“It doesn’t burst when we put on the pump for the first time but it does in the second or the third time. So, I have to cut off the damaged part and join the pipe. Now the pipeline is getting shorter and shorter. We are worried that we might face water shortage again. We are hopeful that the problem will be solved very soon,” Chedup said.
Dechen Peldon a villager in Norbugang said that though the pump helped address the water shortage, they are now worried that water scarcity could hit them again.
“With the pipe bursting now, we are worried even though the caretaker does his best to repair it.”
Yeshi Wangmo, another villager said that the new water facility has provided them much respite, as they had to fetch drinking water in vehicles in the past. “However, with the pipe bursting now, we are really worried that there could be a water shortage in the village again. We hope that the authorities concerned would solve the issue very soon.”
According to the caretaker, it would be better if they can get a thicker and more durable pipe. However, the Nganglam Dungkhag administration said that as the bursting happened due to excessive water pressure, they decided to install a backpressure valve soon. This would help control the water pressure.
If this solution does not work, the office will then replace the plastic pipe with a metallic one.
The office says pumping water is the only immediate solution to address water scarcity in the village.
The facility worth over Nu 2 M is for the 40 households of the village. It was constructed in January this year.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Kipchu
