Residents in Olakha, South Thimphu are perturbed after knowing that Thimphu Thromde office is planning to remove private water pipes in the area.
They said thromde’s water supply has never been enough for consumption and household operations, so they arranged their own water supply from springs through piped system.
The private water pipelines are seen almost everywhere in the residential setting. Some are in drains while others are along the roadsides and underneath the ground. However, Thromde officials said the pipelines have become an eye sore for everyone and also clog drainage ways.
“We provide enough treated water from Chamgang, still they are not supportive of what is being provided by us with the help of Asian Development Bank,” said Thimphu’s Mayor Kinlay Dorjee. “The pipes along roadsides, in drains and hanging on pillars have to be removed.”
Unlike what Thrompon said, residents dissented that municipal’s water supply is inadequate for drinking as well as for other household chores.
“Thromde has reminded us the private water pipes will be cleared off since their water is sufficient for us. But, it is not at all enough,” said a resident, Nim Dorji.
Thimphu Thromde’s water treatment plant located at Migaypang in Chamgang under Darkarla Gewog has plenty of water. The plant has the capacity of supplying over 6.5 million litres of water in a day to people of South Thimphu.
Despite that, people in Olakha feel the water crunch is prevalent due to large number of residents. They added removing their private pipes would make water woes a more severe problem.
Thimphu Thromde provide water supply in Olakha since 2014.