Damphu’s water treatment plant in Tsirang, worth Nu 13 M has not been put to use still. The plant, yet to be commissioned, was constructed three years ago, to provide treated water to close to 2,000 people living in Tsirang’s capital.
Construction of the plant began 2008. It was to complete the following year. However, the construction was delayed with the contractor failing to complete the work on time even after allowing him time extension. The contract was terminated.
The work was then awarded to two different contractors in 2010. Some remaining physical structures and pipe networking system still had to be carried out.
The then executive engineer, Dorji Khandu said the test of the treatment plant could not be carried out after the completion of the work as there was no water at that time.
Even after the completion of his tenure, the plant could not be commissioned due to technical problems.
“Due to height difference of the filtration gutter, the system could not function until date,” said Damphu Municipality’s Executive Engineer, Tshewang Tenzin.
He said the contractor might not have followed proper reference level. “Maybe, he did not receive instruction from the site engineer- showing him the exact reference level.”
For now, the safety of drinking water is not much of an issue as water is being treated manually in old tanks, regularly.
The Executive Engineer said they do not know when they will be able to put the water treatment plant to use. They say they do not have enough resources.
The municipality had raised the concern to the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement but has not received any proper instructions.
