The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In the normal scheme of water distribution in Thimphu Thromde, main transmission lines from a water source feeds water into a tank after which water is distributed to residents.
Water being siphoned off
However, in response to complaints, The Bhutanese investigated the water distribution system in Mothithang and found a curious system where some water lines were not connected after the main water tank in upper Mothithang but were connected into the main transmission lines before even entering the main tank.
Simply put, this means that these water connections get even more priority than the Thromde water tanks which supplies water to people.
The legality of these connections is also in question as water is supposed to be distributed after the supply tank and not from the transmission pipes feeding the tank.
The paper found transmission lines from the source heading into supply tanks in Mothithang but these supply lines before reaching the tank was being tapped by numerous high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and metal pipes diverging in multiple directions away from the transmission line.
These smaller HDPE pipes and a few smaller metal pipes appear to tap water directly from the main transmission lines before they can feed the storage tanks, effectively bypassing the regulated distribution network.
These pipes tapping the main transmission lines divert water to private properties without any official oversight. Such connections are strictly prohibited under Thromde regulations and are to be fined and disconnected, yet their prevalence indicates a significant enforcement lapse or deliberate blind spot.
The water from the Mothithang reservoir is supplied to upper Mothithang, Chang Gedaphu, Changangkha and a part of the RICBL colony area.
Thromde explanation
A Thromde official expressed deep concern over these findings. “These connections along the transmission lines are strictly forbidden,” the official said.
The officials initially said these are illegal connections. The Thromde officials said that they were not made aware of them and must have been there for a long time.
Thromde officials asked a long-serving plumber in the area about these illegal connections. The plumber maintains the lines there and such connections would not have been possible without him knowing about it.
The plumber, who has been in Mothithang since 1999, claimed that water tapping from the main transmission line has been in place since that time. He claimed that that the pipe saddles used to tap water directly was used was part of the Denmark Water Project in Bhutan from the 1960s.
An official from the Thromde said that the Mothithang water tank was constructed in the 1960s, preceding the establishment of settlements there. He said that a water treatment plant existed at that time, and the plumber’s knowledge corroborates this. He said that during that era, some VIPs received priority connections from the main line or the transmission line.
The official said that the concepts of illegal water tapping or unauthorized connections emerged only after Thromde established formal water and sanitation regulations.
When questioned about potential actions the Thimphu Thromde can take regarding such water connections in Mothithang, one official said, “The water and sanitation rules were constituted in 1995, while the connections were made in the 1960s. We cannot go back decades to correct the mistake, but since the amendment of the Water Act of Bhutan, we have adhered to it.”
Another official said, “The Bhutanese can write on this matter. If you believe these are illegal connections, please proceed with your media report, and we will follow up accordingly. To be honest, upper Mothithang is a sensitive area with VIPs residing there.”
He added, “This is not something we are doing today after the creation of the Water Act in Bhutan. However, there are a few cases, such as the cremation ground in Hejo, where there is a constant need to wash bodies before cremation, and in certain hospital areas where there is a constant need for water. Other than that, we haven’t provided connections to anyone.”
Truth is more complicated
However, while the plumber in the area claims these connections are from the 1960s and Thromde officials above him believe it, the truth is much more complicated as quite a few of the connections appear to be more recent affairs.
A resident in the area said, “Water should be distributed through the pipelines designated by Thromde. However, plumbers have been offering direct connections from the tanks in exchange for money. This seems to have started years ago.”
This resident recounted witnessing laborers at a construction site in upper Mothithang bathing and washing while nearby residential spaces also used large amounts of water a few years ago. However, they being in the same areas and sharing the same water distribution network had no water to drink.
The resident said, “When I contacted a Thromde plumber, he offered a direct water supply for Nu. 50,000 by saying he would connect it directly to the transmission line. I refused, saying I would rather pay Thromde, not him.”
The resident did not stop there but he also reported the activity to the Thromde a few years ago, and while promises were made no action was taken on the ground or against the plumber.
He described the plumber he encountered years back to be using subtle persuasion tactics to secure these deals.
Given the number of direct lines it is suspected that many people in the area have struck deals with the plumber and got direct lines from the transmission line instead of the tank.
Also, given that Mothithang was very lightly settled in the 1960s it does not make sense that officials or VIPs at the time would want a direct connection from the transmission line when there was more than enough water in a large tank for a very small population.
The claim of the plumber and thromde officials who believe him can be easily verified by following where these pipes lead and finding out if these structures were built in the 1960s or if the landowners were there from then or are VIPs entitled to get such a special connection.
Information from the ground suggests that the connections leads to more recent residents and structures and most of them would not fall in the ‘VIP’ category being cited by the Thromde.
Rules for others only
As per the water and sanitation rules, only authorized staff from the city or municipal corporation shall provide connections from the distribution network. And any property connected by unauthorized persons or in any other way illegally connected to the municipal water supply system shall be disconnected without notice to the property owner.
The property owner is liable to a fine as specified by the City/Municipal Corporation, which is Nu. 45,000. Reconnection can only take place after full payment of the fine plus unpaid water consumption, as estimated by the city. In addition, a reconnection fee shall be paid before a connection is given.
While the above rules do not seem to apply for the direct connections in upper Mothithang an official from Thromde has confirmed that this year alone, two house owners were caught for illegal water piping in Babesa.
The official said that their direct lines have been cut off, and now they are planning to cut down on all the amenities as per the water and sanitation rules on illegal connections.
How is water distributed in Thimphu?
The water distribution system in Thimphu operates by channeling water from the source to reservoir tanks via transmission lines. In between the water source and the reservoir tank, there is a water treatment plant, and through that, water is transmitted through the transmission lines to the reservoir tank.
From these reservoirs, water is then distributed throughout the city. According to regulations, no connections should be made along the transmission lines heading towards the reservoir tanks.
The official from thromde said the function of a transmission line is simple: it is a line that transmits water from a source where needed in any water supply project, and there is no distribution from this line.
He said, “Water tapping from the transmission line is strictly prohibited.”
The Thromde official also highlighted the difficulties in enforcing penalties, noting that residents often argue that Thromde services are inadequate, which deters officials from implementing fines.
“When we attempt to enforce penalties, defaulters tend to become aggressive and confrontational. They often follow up with written applications, and while they await a response, I too am waiting for directives from my superiors,” he said.
Thromde officials emphasized that the introduction of hefty penalties for illegal activities such as unauthorized water supply connections, bypassing water meters, tampering with water infrastructure, digging up blacktop roads, and damaging or blocking drains and footpaths was thoroughly researched.
“This serves as a warning so individuals can correct their actions,” an official said.
“The notification has significantly helped us. People are now coming forward indirectly, requesting water meters, and there are many of them. We have been able to assist a lot of people in this way,” the official added.
