The residents of Changzamtok and those living above the RICBL colony can look forward to receiving safe and adequate drinking water supply in about three months from now.
This is because Thimphu Thromde has decided to put in place large galvanised iron (GI) pipes to move the water through from the source to people’s homes. The decision was made at a recent meeting between the residents and the Thromde.
At present, the building owners in the areas pipe their own water from the private source in Karisha, located about 3 kilometres away from Changzamgtok. There are about a hundred water pipes connected to the source. These small pipes will be soon replaced with two large GI pipes.
“There are almost an equal number of people living above and below the ring road in Changzamtok,” said Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee. “We will connect two separate pipes to ensure equal water supply, and accordingly, the distribution points will be worked out.”
Residents are hopeful the initiative will solve their water woes. The GI pipes will prevent loss of water through leakages. Also, it will not be possible for others to steal their water, a common practice at the moment.
“We have to go almost daily to check our pipes because people often cut them and connect their pipes,” said Namgay Dorji, a Changzamtok resident.
Recently, an outbreak of typhoid was reported in the area, which left 23 people infected. While health officials say it was caused by contaminated water source, some house owners beg to differ.
“I don’t think the source is dirty,” said Neten Wangdi, a building owner. “I would say it could have been because of the contaminated water that enters our water supply through cracked pipes.”
The residents in the area have been drinking from the source in Karisha for the last many years to supplement Thromde’s water supply.
To further ease the water problem in the area, the Thromde is also carrying out works to provide additional supply through the Mothithang water reservoir.
