SNV Bhutan in collaboration and co-ordination with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s approach to rural Water Safety Plan eases water shortage in Dorgoen Rimtok, improving access and local management of water resources

KP Sharma

Chukha—The remote village of Dorgoen Rimtok in Chapcha gewog, Chukha, comprising 129 households, has long struggled with perennial water shortage issues.

Isolated from nearby water sources, the village has relied on distant springs for water, a task that becomes even more challenging during the harsh winter months when ice formation blocks water flow in the pipe. This occurs for about four months every winter.

However, a promising shift has come with the implementation of the joint Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) and SNV Water Safety Plan, which is already beginning to transform life for the villagers, offering the much-needed relief.

The programme was initiated by the MoIT with support from SNV Bhutan.

Though the water management project is still underway, its early successes are evident.

A native of Dorgoen Rimtok, Choden Choden, shared her relief at the project’s progress, saying that the project has started reducing the time spent for collecting water. “Now we hope that we do not have to travel long distances to fetch water,” she said. “Before, there was no water in our toilets or kitchens, where water is essential for sanitation and hygiene.”

Chapcha Gup Tobgay highlighted the environmental challenges exacerbating the water crisis. “Local water sources like Om Chhu and Dam Chhu have dried up due to global warming and increasing pressure from population growth,” he explained.

With these since reliable sources were no longer available, villagers were forced to look for water sources far away. “And this often involved long journeys, further complicating the daily life of the villagers,” Tobgay said.

The joint MoIT and SNV Bhutan’s initiative has empowered the local community with water management training, enabling them to protect and sustain the remaining water sources. As a result, the gewog has implemented key measures to safeguard the environment.

“We got good awareness and education of the importance of water source protection,” Tobgay said.

Deforestation, road construction, and mining activities near vital water sources will  now be  prohibited. In addition, the community has launched reforestation projects to revive degraded areas with the aim to restore vanished water sources in the future.

Many of the current water sources are now located within community-managed forests, encouraging local stewardship of these vital resources.

Tobgay said that the training provided by MoIT and SNV Bhutan has equipped the gewog to monitor water use and protect the environment more effectively.

After the training, the gewog administration has also prohibited stone quarrying and logging near water basins. These activities had posed a threat to the health of the forests and the viability of the water sources, according to the gup.

Water management in rural areas presents unique challenges, as monitoring household water use is far more difficult than in urban centres. In Dorgoen Rimtok, the absence of a formal water tariff system complicates efforts.

However, MoIT and SNV Bhutan’s training has given Tobgay and the community tools to improve water efficiency and reduce waste. Through the project, water caretaker training and water user association have been formed for all the selected water schemes to enhance   community sense of ownership and for the sustainability of the water schemes.  Women were encouraged to be part of the WUA.

“Now, villagers understand that they must take responsibility for water taps and infrastructure at home, and they are held accountable for any damage caused by negligence,” Tobgay said.

“Officials from MoIT and SNV Bhutan visited the sites several times and consulted the people for better awareness and understanding of the issue,” Tobgay said, expressing optimism for the project’s long-term success.

Another notable development is the active role women are playing in water management.

Tashi Wangmo, a 32-year-old water caretaker, shared how the community has come together to support water-related work, explaining that the community is now actively involved whenever water issues arise.

She is tasked with ensuring continuous water supply to her community. “Community visits the water source twice a year, where they are involved in cleaning, planting, and other necessary work at the source and downstream,” she said.

Tashi Wangmo added that when major water issues occur at the source, she seeks help from the beneficiary community and given that the water source is more than 15 kilometres away, the community works together to resolve the issue.

For minor issues, such as fixing pipes, she handles the repairs herself.

Although initially concerned about the challenges of taking on the role of water caretaker, Tashi Wangmo explained that the support she receives from the community has made the role manageable. “It was challenging to take up the role of a water caretaker as a woman, but the support from the community made it easier,” she said.

Social media has become an essential tool for coordinating water-related activities. When issues arise, the community is able to quickly mobilise to address them.

The quality of water in Dorgoen Rimtok has also improved since the project’s implementation.

The Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Chapcha conducts regular water quality tests to ensure the water is safe for consumption.

Chencho, the health assistant, explained that the PHC conducts water tests twice a year and she oversees four chiwogs under its catchment area, with six sampling locations.

While water from these chiwogs is routinely tested, water from other villages is tested on request if there are concerns about its quality.

In 2024, the PHC carried out over 10 water tests across various locations.

“The MoIT and SNV Bhutan’s project includes detailed plans from the water source to the household,” Chencho said. “From the health side, we are doing our best in terms of water testing and raising awareness at the community level.”

This story is produced in collaboration with SNV Bhutan with support from the Royal Government of Bhutan, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, and the Water for Women Fund.