3.7.2 Storm Water Drainage

The storm water drainage system of Gelephu mainly consists of an un-constructed natural drainage system, together with constructed open drains. This combined system carries storm water, sullage and septic tank overflow. Constructed in the past, the drainage system comprises of rectangular and trapezoidal lined main drains built along the natural drainage pattern with slopes in the range of one to four percent. The larger part of the town core is served by lateral, mainly open drains. Slabs on the covered part of the system are often missing or broken. Taking advantage of the terrain, runoff is carried to the fringe areas of the town and disposed off in to the natural drains to the east of the town along the Mao Chhu. This is an unhygienic solution promising health hazards in the future.

Blockage in the storm water system is frequent and one of the commonly seen problems in the town. Disposal of household and other solid wastes, lack of screens for the surface runoff from roads, storage of construction and other materials over drains, insufficient size and lack of regular cleaning of open drains could be seen as a main reason for these blockages.

3.7.3 Sewerage Management

Gelephu does not have an organized sewerage system. Individual buildings are served either by septic tanks or by soak pits on the property. Apartment buildings usually have a common septic tank.

According to the Pre-feasibility Study Report, based on water consumption, the likely sewerage which could be generated is about 1,865 cubic maters per day. In addition an equal amount of industrial waste is likely to be generated. In the absence of any organized sewerage system in the town, septic tanks are the common method of sewerage disposal. The overflow of effluents from septic tanks is disposed of into surface drains. This causes a great threat to the hygienic conditions in the town. It is observed that the septic tanks and the soak pits are full and rarely cleaned. For public convenience the local governing body in the past has constructed two public toilets near the truck parking area.

Out of the total population of Gelephu 24% of the population depends on pit latrines as their sole sanitary facility, 74% of the population depends on in-house sanitation facilities and 2% depends on public toilets. A septic tank de-sludging tanker has recently become available with the Gelephu Municipal Corporation and a fee of Nu. 1000 is collected for cleaning of a septic tank. Though the problem of sewerage management is not evident in the town, due to less population, one cannot totally discard this issue. Local health records, however, indicate a significant incidence of water borne diseases. When the population grows there is every possibility that the hygienic condition of the town will breakdown at any time, given the climatic and physiographic character of the town. The ill-effects can already be sensed in the back lanes of the town core even today.

There is a definite need to re-conceptualize the sewerage system in Gelephu by construction of sewer lines and a sewerage treatment plant. DANIDA has already initiated a proposal which will help improving the sanitation facilities and public hygiene in the town.

3.7.4 Solid Waste Management

According to the Pre-feasibility Report, the solid waste generated in the town is about 5.32 tons per day. The basic unit of solid waste collection in the town core is the community solid waste collection bins located at various places, one near the Dungkhag Administration and in the General Hospital campus. The community bins serve about half of the town population. Solid wastes are dumped in vacant areas for collection purpose wherever the community bins are not available.

All the commercial establishments in the town core have been provided with individual dustbins by the Municipal Corporation. The dustbins are emptied manually. The Municipal Corporation owns a tractor and a trolley for the purpose. The tractor makes two to three trips per day to the collection points in the town area. The waste is collected on a daily basis, except Sundays, in the core area, and weekly in the other areas. The collected wastes are disposed in open fields near the Aipole Chhu and burned at regular intervals. This is not an optimal system as air pollution is generated. Presently there is no established mechanism available in the town for the purpose of solid waste disposal. The school and a few other institutes burn their waste in the open air. The domestic waste collected is about 4.96 tons, per day while the commercial establishments and the hospital wastes account to 0.3 tons and 0.06 tons respectively. Spilling of solid waste from the open bins is one of the common problems faced and creates a serious threat to the hygienic condition in the town. The roads and public places in the town area are cleaned every day in the morning, except Sunday. Fifteen sweepers are engaged by the Municipal Corporation for this purpose.

The existing system of waste disposal needs to be re-conceptualized by studying alternate disposal techniques and proper collection methods. It should be ensured that waste is collected from each and every place to keep Gelephu clean and healthy.