The Wangchhu in Thimphu is said to be contaminated with a bacteria known as E.coli. This was ascertained by Gobal Waterkeeper Alliance which recently examined the quality of the river. The Global Waterkeeper Alliance is the largest and fastest growing non-profit organisation solely focused on clean water.
The waterkeeper alliance tested the quality of Wangchhu under the initiative of Clean Bhutan, a private waste management company in Bhutan. The assessment was carried out with the help of real time sensors, installed in Dordena, Lungtenphug, and Damchu. Dordena was selected as starting point and while examined, it was found out be free of any bacterial contamination.
However, as the river flows down the valley, the presence of E.coli bacteria is more prominent. There are many types of E.coli, and most of them are harmless. But some can cause bloody diarrhea. Some strains of E.coli bacteria may also cause severe anemia or kidney failure which can lead to death.
Clean Bhutan and Global Waterkeeper Alliance gave more focus to assess the river opposite the Centenary Farmers’ Market since it is more prone to pollution. Clean Bhutan also signed a license agreement with the Waterkeeper alliance.
“Clean Bhutan strives to clean drainages that go down into the rivers. So we want know the level of pollutants and if there is an alarming data, we will have to inform the government,” said Nedup Tshering, the Executive Director of Clean Bhutan.
Clean Bhutan started checking the quality of rivers since 2015.
