For families in Chhubarthang village of Sarpang, water was once something they had to share, and wait for. Today, a steady supply reaches almost every household, thanks to two reservoirs built with support from the Tarayana Foundation.
For Pema Lhadon, the change is easy to see. Water now flows directly from the tap in her kitchen, a convenience that was not possible for many families here just a few years ago.
“Today, we have a good and reliable supply of water from the reservoir. It is enough for our household needs, and we can also use it to grow vegetables during winter. This has made life much easier for us,” said Pema Lhadon, a resident of Chhubarthang, Umling Gewog, Sarpang.
And the benefit extends beyond drinking and household use. Around 28 households in the village are now receiving water from the two reservoirs, giving families a more dependable supply for their daily needs and kitchen gardens.
“The water situation in the village has improved a lot with the support of the Tarayana Foundation. We now have a more reliable supply, which helps us not only with our daily household needs but also with growing vegetables,” said Norbu Wangmo, another resident of Chhubarthang, Umling Gewog, Sarpang.
But getting water was once a very different experience. Before the reservoirs were built, two or three households often had to depend on a single tap. Water was supplied only at certain times, making it difficult to manage daily household needs.
The village had only a 3,000-litre tank built by the gewog administration. As the number of households increased, the small tank could no longer keep up with demand.
“Earlier, two to three households had to share one water tap, and the supply was limited. With the support of the Tarayana Foundation, every household now has access to water, and many have connected the supply directly to their homes. We are grateful for this support,” said Leki Dolma, Tashithang Tshogpa, Umling Gewog, Sarpang.
The two 30,000-litre reservoirs were constructed in 2023. Three years on, they continue to collect and distribute water from above the village, turning what was once a shared and limited resource into a more reliable supply for Chhubarthang’s families.
Karna Wangdi/Passang Dorji, Gelephu
