Year 2025 Bhutan

Purpose

Improve the water supply for communities in Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary by diversifying the communities’ water source and improving water supply infrastructure.

Climate Impacts

The following impacts were reported by community members in Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Decreased availability of freshwater leading to water shortages

• Increased flooding from more severe monsoons

• Loss of crops due to water scarcity and decreased rainfall

Bhutan Water collection
Bhutan

Activities

Alternate water source selection

Community members and local leaders met to discuss and identify an alternate and viable water source for a new water collection chamber.

Site assessment

A site assessment was conducted to determine which existing water pipelines needed maintenance and repair. This included replacing damaged sections and realigning pipes to ensure maximum water flow.

Construction of water collection chamber

The new water collection chamber was constructed at the alternate site by contractors who are also community members. The construction also included protective walls to prevent the chamber from being damaged by landslides during the monsoon season.

Pipe installation

4.5 miles of high-density polyethylene pipes (HDPE) pipes were installed to transport water from the new water collection chamber to an existing water storage tank. Pipes were also installed from the existing storage tank to water tap stands for community members to access.

project outcomes

1 new water collection chamber constructed

33 tap stand installed

529 people with improved water access

project design

Samrang, located in Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, faces severe challenges with its water supply due to fragile topography and insufficient water availability at the existing source. Although a community-driven water supply scheme was previously constructed by the local government, the water supply infrastructure had been extensively damaged by flooding and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in the monsoon season. The situation was further worsened by the drying up of existing water sources and significant water losses due to the lack of proper water taps.

To address these issues, a new water collection chamber was built in Tshophangma, an alternate and more reliable water-tapping point. The new water collection chamber was connected to the existing water collection tank, which is 4.5 miles away, using HDPE pipes. HDPE pipes are known for their structural integrity and reliable performance under diverse environmental conditions, proving highly effective in disaster-resistant construction.

The existing water supply infrastructure was also augmented through the repair and replacement of damaged pipelines with durable materials like HDPE pipes to enhance resilience against landslides and adverse weather conditions. Additionally, water-use efficiency was improved by installing water tap stands for 33 households (529 people), ensuring reliable and accessible water access. Protective measures, like the construction of concrete walls, were also implemented to safeguard the infrastructure and prevent future damage.

These interventions aim to provide a reliable and sustainable water supply for the Samrang community, addressing water scarcity and improving water management for both domestic and agricultural needs.

Samrang1 (1)

New water collection chamber

Image credits: WWF-Bhutan; Sonam Dagay/WWF-Bhutan

pipes

Installation of HDPE pipes

DSC05039 (2)

Construction of protective concrete wall