The shortage of drinking water shortage problem will soon become a thing of the past for the people of Barp Gewog in Punakha. They have been enduring water scarcity for decades. Residents blamed the increase in settlements and population in the area.
The Okalum stream is the source of water for the people of Barp and Toebisa gewogs. It is located about 17 kilometres from the Barp Gewog centre or Lobesa. The water source lies in a rugged location far away from the communities, making it difficult to maintain the water source regularly.
Gomchen, a resident, volunteers to show me the area as the problem becomes severe.
And over the years, increasing new settlements and population are adding to the problem.
Gomchen said, “We have to take our large clothes to places where there is sufficient water to wash them. For drinking, we have to share water with others from time to time.”
“It becomes worse as the population increases. Likewise, our tenants complain, saying they will leave since there is no water. Quite often, we have to plead and request our tenants to stay. There may not be many issues for small families, but for large families like ours, it is very challenging,” said Pema Tshenzom, a resident of Barp Gewog.
Barp Gup Pasang Dorji said, “Our people are asking for a 24-hour water supply. They are putting pressure on us regarding the water supply during meetings held in the Chiwogs and the Gewog.”
But today, hopes remain high. A road is being constructed to the source to lay water pipes. The work began in April last year.
The Nu 93 M project requires installing seventeen kilometres of water pipes underground.
Around 80 per cent of this work is complete. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility and UNDP.
The work was supposed to be completed by October this year. But the change in the plan to bring in bigger and more climate-resilient pipes like this one delayed the project.
The Gup said, “I think the water supply project will not be delayed for years. We expect that the project will be completed and people will be able to get the opportunity to drink the water by mid of next year.”
At the moment, the water people here get is not enough. Large drums are used to store water.
But once the water supply scheme is ready in the next few months, it will provide an uninterrupted water supply to people in Barp and Toebisa gewogs, with more than ten thousand people.
It will also benefit four schools, a college, a nunnery and government officers in the vicinity.