Disputes over drinking water distribution are common across the country, and Tsirang’s Mendrelgang Gewog is no exception. To tackle the issue, the gewog administration has connected household taps directly to the reservoir tank. Local leaders hope this new system will ensure fair distribution and reduce community disputes.
This is the new reservoir tank for Riserbu Chiwog, located above their village. Pipelines for more than 20 households are now connected directly to the tank.
The new system gives each household a dedicated pipeline, ensuring fair and equal water distribution.
The gewog administration built the reservoir tank, while beneficiaries purchased the pipes and provided labour to lay them to their homes.
Earlier, their water pipes were linked to a distribution line connected to the old reservoir, which often caused disputes over water supply.
Mendrelgang Gup Yeshi said, “If there is no water supply in the reservoir, then no one receives water, and similarly, when water is available, everybody gets equal. Previously, this was not the case. The water had to be shared through Y-Joints from the main line. Some damaged others’ connections to draw more water toward them.”
“Every beneficiary used to be given a connecting line from the main pipe and there always used to be discontentment, saying somebody is taking or another person is getting more water. But now we have our individual pipes, there is no reason we have to have fights or feel bad about our neighbours,” said Sahadev Thapa, a resident of Riserbu.
“We have an abundant water source as of now. But then in the dry season, we don’t know what will happen. Let us hope that there won’t be any problem,” said Roshan Rana Monger, another resident of Riserbu.
The Mendrelgang Gup said the current direct connection should be enough even if families build more houses in the future.
“In future, when settlement comes through land inheritance, they must share the drinking water from the existing line. They will not be allowed to connect directly to the reservoir. The same rule applies to anyone who builds a new house after purchasing land.”
A similar drinking water project has begun in Tashipang Chiwog, which caters to 80 households.
The gewog office has plans to implement the same system in three other chiwogs of Mendrelgang, Pemashong, and Dzamlingzor.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
