Water treatment plant at Taba, which is being constructed, will cater to about 100,000 people in Taba, Jungshina, Pamtsho, Hejo, Samtelling, Langjophakha, Yangchenphu, and Changiji in Thimphu

Construction of water tanks at Pamtsho, Samteling, and Langjophakha has also begun.

Thimphu Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said that although there was enough water at the sources, about 30 percent of water supplied was lost on the way. “In Chubachu, Norzin Lam, and the Centenary Farmers’ Market area, the water pipes were laid in the 1990s and 1980s, which were small. Now that the number of houses have increased, and so have demand for water.”

He added that the pipes had leakage due to rust. “The replacement of distribution network at Thimphu core area such as Changzamtok, Chubachu and Hongkong Market needs to be done.”

Distribution work for Changzamtog will soon begin.

The water treatment plant is part of Central Water Supply Scheme consisting of two projects – construction of water treatment plant and construction of intake and transmission main from Dodena to Taba, distribution lines and clear water reservoirs.

Thrompon said that the water treatment plant at Taba would be connected with the water source at Dodena, which is about 15km from Taba. “Work at Dodena started February this year.”

Thrompon added that the current water source at Dodena would not dry during the dry seasons and maintain the water supply consistent. “Water source at Dodena is large and even during summer the water won’t dry as much at the area. By next year when the work completes, Thimphu city will not have any water problem in the city.”

Works and human settlement minister Dorji Choden, officials of the ministry, thromde officials and representatives of the World Bank attended the ground-breaking ceremony at Taba yesterday.

The Nu 172.7 million treatment plant will be ready by November next year.

Phurpa Lhamo