The water treatment plant at Taba, which is expected to serve over 60,000 individuals in Thimphu is expected to complete by January 23 this year.

The treatment plant with water source from Dedena will serve the people in Taba, Jungshina, Pamtsho, Hejo, Samtelling, Langjophakha, Yangchenphu, and Changiji in Thimphu.

Although Thimphu thromde had planned on completing the work by December 17, thrompon, Kinlay Dorjee, said that construction of walls where the pipelines are installed, and construction of concrete along the joints were still underway.

“When the water is released the joint might break due to water pressure. The pipes are really huge and may wash away things if not constructed well. So to avoid such accidents, we wanted to do it well and pushed for another month. This is a big project and it is going to solve Thimphu’s water problem.”

Today, Pamtsho and Samtelling receive water from their community water sources. Water to Langjophakha is pumped from the Jungshina water treatment plant.

Jungshina water treatment plant also serves the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the dzong area.

Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said that water to all these areas are pumped from the treatment plant.

He added that issues as such damage of the pumps or running out of battery pertains.

“We are working on inserting new pipes near the dzong area. So when this is ready, the dzong tanks would also receive water from Dodena water source and Jungshina plant would serve only to the BCCI tank. Then we can bring more water to the core area of Thimphu”.”

Changiji receives water supply from the three boreholes and from the treatment plant in Jungshina.

Water to the core city area such as Changzamtog, Norzin lam, Changangkha, and Kawajangsa are supplied from Motithang treatment plant.

“When the water treatment plant at Taba is completed, the water from Motithang treatment plant wouldn’t need to go to Changiji, Yangchenphu and partly to the core areas. So with this, the water problem can be solved,” thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said.

Leakage due to old pipelines is also one of the major challenges facing the thromde.

Replacing the water pipelines with new and larger diameter pipes is part of the thromde’s 12th Plan activities. “As soon as the budget is approved, we will start the work to replace the pipes,” thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said.

The project is worth Nu172.7 million.

Phurpa Lhamo