The sewage leakage problem, which surfaced about three months ago at Changzamtok, will be resolved with pipe replacement work this week.

Thromde’s engineer for Norzin Lam zone, Santosh Subba, said that the sewage pipe that runs under the road was broken due to heavy vehicles. He said that the depth of the pipe at the area is about 0.6 metre below the earth, which is low.

“The pipe that runs 15 to 20 metres under the road will be replaced,” he said. “Since the depth is low, there are chances of leakage, for which a plain cement concrete (PCC) will be done.”

The engineer said that when constructing a drain in a plain area, the depth should be more to allow water to flow. But for a sloppy area, the pipe doesn’t need much depth, he said.

A resident at Changzamtok, Dendup, said that the leakage occurred since April this year. “After about a month another leakage started few feet away.”

He said that he submitted applications to the thromde office to fix the leakage. “The first one was submitted about three months ago. The second application was submitted about a month ago.”

Dendup said that two tenants of the area left due to the smell and unhygienic surrounding “One of them complained and left because they had a year old child and said that it wasn’t healthy for the child.”

Thromde officials said that the work depends on the number of workers and equipment available.

An official with the sewerage division, Samten Lhendup, said that there were 10 wet sweepers for the operation and maintenance of the sewerage system this year. “Many foreign workers take leave from work and don’t return.”

He added that Bhutanese aren’t willing to work in this field. There are three wet sweepers with the thromde today.

Santosh Subba said that the thromde’s few equipment and vehicles are already deployed. “If the leakage continues for a longer duration, it will affect the road.”

He added that the sewerage system was designed for small number of households. “Now the population and number of household has increased because of which there are frequent problems.”

Phurpa Lhamo