WF

P-Amochu, Phuentsholing WTP

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in South

Asia. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is bordered by
the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north, and
the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal in the west,
and the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal towards
south and east. Bhutan is geopolitically in South
Asia and is the region's second-least-populous nation
after the Maldives. Thimphu is the capital and largest
city, while Phuntsholing is its financial centre and
gateway to Bhutan. The country's landscape ranges from
lush subtropical plains in the south to the sub-alpine
Himalayan mountains in the north, where there are
peaks higher than 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). Gangkhar
Puensum is Bhutan's highest peak and may be the
highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

Bhutan has a population of approximately 779,666 1

people, of which 70% live in the rural areas. Due to its
geographical setting, Bhutan is blessed with plenty of
water resources with per capita mean annual flow
availability of water at 109,0002 cubic meters, which is one of the highest in the region. For
drinking purposes, water is abstracted from various sources such as rivers, streams, springs,
groundwater and rain water harvesting schemes.

The National Health Survey of 2012 reports that the proportion of Bhutan's population with
access to improved drinking water source is 97.7%. However, the report on a rapid
assessment of rural drinking water quality which was carried out by the Royal Centre for
Disease Control in 2012, showed that only 17% of stream water sources and 28% of spring
water sources were safe for drinking purpose. This implies that assurance of safe drinking
water is still a major challenge in Bhutan.

In Bhutan, the water supply systems are categorised into urban water supply system and
rural water supply system. The urban water supply systems are built and maintained by the
Municipality and Dzongkhag Administration while the rural water supply system are built
through Rural Water Supply Schemes and are maintained by the beneficiaries. With
acceleration of development activities and increase in anthropogenic encroachment into
1
localgovernment.bt
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Bhutan Drinking Water Quality Standard,2016

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deeper watersheds, the quality of raw water sources in Bhutan is being affected and
deteriorated at a faster rate. The Royal Government of Bhutan is recognising such scenarios
and timely interventions are put in place through a range of policies, guidelines and
regulations. Such initiatives include Rural Water Supply Scheme policy, the Water Act of
Bhutan, 2011, the Water Regulation, 2014, the Environmental standard, 2010, and the
Watershed Management guidelines to ensure sustainability and to protect the drinking
water sources.

1.2 Background

Bhutan has initiated numerous Flagship Programs in 12 th Five Year Plan with an objective to
address the national issues that are of high priority. Water Flagship Program is one among
many such flagship programs. . Under this flagship program, the Royal Government of
Bhutan obligates to provide 24x7 of safe drinking water and also addressing water issues for
irrigation purpose. With implementation of WFP it is expected to address the National Key
Result Area3 (NKRA) 17 titled “Sustainable Water Ensured” and Sustainable Development
Goal 6 titled “Clean Water and Sanitation.”
The Gross National Happiness Commission is the secretariat for the Water Flagship
Program and Ministry of Works and Human Settlement is focal Ministry on the forefront to
plan, manage, monitor and implement the program. The other Ministry and agencies
involved in the program include Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, and
Ministry of Finance and Local Government. The Government has a budget outlay of Nu. 3
billon earmarked for the Program.
In the Phase-1, the program will cover 11 Dzongkhags and 4 Thromdes and remaining
Dzongkhags in phase-2.

1.3 Water Flagship Program

Bhutan in its 12th five year has committed to provide 24/7 water supply across the country
by 2023. The Royal Government has recognized reliable and safe “DRINKING WATER” as a
National Issue and needs to be resolved on priority.
In the initial stage of WFP formulation, the Flagship Program only included drinking water
as an issue but on the recommendations from the Office of Prime Minister, and the Cabinet
the flagship Program now is inclusive of water for irrigation.
The Population and Housing Census of Bhutan (PHCB) 2017 states that only 81% of the
housing unit have reliable water supply during critical hours of the day. Subsequently,
about 1.6% of the population still need to travel a distance for at least 30 minutes to the
nearest water sources. While, the National Irrigation Master Plan 2016 states that of total
105,662.43 acres of cultivated land, 64,248 acres still depended on rain-fed irrigation system.
The challenges to ensure continuous supply of water to the distress area is growing, the
water sources are drying up, further the geographical setting has been a huge drawback due
to settlements at the hilly region. It is further aggravated by the Climate change scenarios.
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Water Flagship Program Blueprint, 2020

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There are also issues in effective management of water source & schemes, poor network and
connectivity of water supply schemes and lack of climate resilient structure.
In order to address the Water issues and provide reliable and sustainable water supply to
the growing population, the WFP has formulated four strategic approaches and includes:
 Declaration and protection of critical watersheds and wetlands
 Development of adequate and climate-resilient infrastructure
 Improvement of drinking water quality surveillance
 Better implementation of water legislation and governance  
The program outlines the implementation of Flagship in two phases. Under the first phase,
the program covers eleven Dzongkhags: Chukha, Dagana, Mongar, Paro, Pema Gatshel,
Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Trongsa, Wangdue Phodrang and Zhemgang; and four
Thromdes: Gelephu, Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar and Thimphu. And, under the
second phase, the WFP will cover the rest of the remaining Dzongkhags.

The drinking water needs and requirements are being addressed considering the following
aspects :
 To prepare design of water supply schemes that are sustainable and fulfil water
requirements of the future
 To prepare the schemes for the water treatment plant and distribution system
 To set safe concentrations of parameters for drinking water
 To contribute towards a progressive improvement of drinking-water quality
management (e.g. sampling, testing, reporting and documentation) by all service
providers
 To strengthen the application of water safety planning in all drinking-water systems
 To contribute towards increased public awareness of drinking-water safety
 To build a national drinking-water quality database
 To improve accountability of all stakeholders in the provision of safe for drinking
water supply

Under the first strategy, the consultation workshops on Watershed Management have been
initiated. Assessment of water requirement in the field has also been completed. Training
workshop for field officials of Sarpang and Manas forest divisions have been conducted and
initiated the incorporation of watershed assessment for 10 dzongkhags
In the second strategy, the sensitisation tour in 11 Dzongkhags and four Thromdes were
carried out to identify irrigation schemes, areas with critical water scarcity and possibility of
exploration of groundwater.
A Water Flagship Program looks into the Water Safety Plan to ensure the safety of a
drinking water supply while focusing on the key hazards identified from the catchment to
the point of the consumer level. The Program shall ensure the following aspects:
1. Minimize contamination at the water source;
2. Reduce or remove contamination through treatment processes, and
3. Prevent contamination during storage, distribution and handling;

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In accordance with the Water Regulation of Bhutan 2014, service provider has to develop
and implement a Water Safety Plan (WSP) for their respective water supply system. The
WSP shall address normal operating procedure as well as address water needs in emergency
situations. The WSP must also include provisions for review and revision of plans and
standards to remain updated and accurate. As such the Water Flagship Program should be
inclusive to the aspects of the Water safety Program.

The WFP mandates to provide reliable and sustainable drinking water supply to both the
rural and urban communities identified across Bhutan. It is of paramount importance to
build water supply schemes that are climate resilient, sustainable and economical. And to
address the objectives efficiently, the Water and Sanitation Division (WSD), Department of
Engineering Services (DES), MoWHS functions as the Program Management Unit (PMU) for
the implementation of WFP. The responsibilities of PMU4 are to:
 Lead the overall coordination and monitoring of activities under the WFP;
 Prepare procurement plan for all activities under the WFP in consultation with the
respective PIUs;
 Resurvey, assessment and design of infrastructure components to update the pre-
feasibility studies carried out by Dzongkhags and Thromdes;
 Provide technical assistance to PIUs for analysis, design, drawing, estimation, and/or
technical sanction of complex projects;
 Carry out procurement of all consulting services for activities under WFP Strategy 2;
 Support PIUs with their own tendering and award of work;
 Ensure that infrastructure related to water conforms to highest standards,
construction are in line with the design and specifications, flagship field level
activities are monitored;
 Facilitate timely release of fund, re-appropriations, additional fund for approved
activities;
 Support PIUs to formulate and implement strategies for sustainability of facilities
provided under the WFP.
 Compile quarterly physical and financial progress of all PIUs, validate and submit to
GNHCS;
 Support other relevant agencies to evaluate Projects.

1.4 Role of DMETT

A conglomeration of team of engineers from WSD forms the Design, Monitoring, and
Evaluation Technical Team (DMETT). The DMETT reports to the Chief Engineer, WSD
(Program Coordinator for the WFP).

The roles and responsibilities of the DMETT are to:

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WFP ToR for Consultancy

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 Provide guidance during the planning and designing of the flagship activities
 Carry out the technical design of water treatment plants and distribution systems
proposed under the WFP that are identified in the procurement plan to be designed
in-house
 Review the technical design of water treatment plants and distribution systems
proposed under the WFP to ensure that low-cost appropriate technology are
adopted for design
 Review technical sanctions whenever necessary
 Recommend and provide appropriate solutions for any technical issues that may
arise during the implementation of the flagship activities
 Technical evaluation of Projects after completion

1.4.1 Objectives of engaging the Consultancy Firm

Design of many water supply schemes identified across 11 Dzongkhags and 4

Thromdes under the Phase-1 of the Water Flagship Program is undertaken by the WSD,
there are also many schemes that requires engagement of experts for a comprehensive
design and good outcome. Thus, considering the limitation of experts in-house, WSD
proposed to outsource some of the schemes (WTP/Distribution & Electro-Mechnical)
that are complex in nature to the Consultancy Firm.
The following are the experts engaged through the Consultancy firm.
 Water Treatment Plant Design Engineer
 Water Distribution Design Engineer
 Electro-Mechanical Design Engineer

The overall objectives of the Consultancy are:

 Review and advice on the activities under Strategy 2 based on the Water
Flagship Blueprint
 Work with WSD (DMETT Team) to identify and prepare designs for the most
appropriate, efficient, economical, climate resilient and sustainable water supply
systems for implementation under the WFP
 Work and build the technical skills of WSD staff for the design and
implementation of water supply systems appropriate for Bhutan’s rural and
urban areas
The proposed Consultancy assignment is in two Phases. The scope of work under
Phase 1 is preparation of the Detailed Project Report and under Phase 2 underlines
Construction Monitoring of Water Supply Schemes.

Phase 1:
The scope of work under this phase covers Design review, Preparation of new design,
drawings, cost estimates, technical specifications

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The overall objectives of the Consultancy are:

 Review and advice on the activities under the Water Flagship Blueprint;
 Work with WSD (in particular with the Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation
Technical Team) to identify and prepare designs for the most appropriate, efficient,
economical, climate resilient and sustainable water supply systems for
implementation under the WFP;
 Build technical skills of WSD staff on design and implementation of water supply
systems appropriate for rural and urban areas.

The approved duration for Phase 1 is of 10 months from the date of issue of the Work
Order: MoWHS/DES/WSD/WFP/11/2019-20/435, dated 24th of May,2020.

1.4.2 Tasks and Geographic Location

The role of Consultant and work activities involves three major works besides,
reviewing of design & drawing, technical backstopping to DMETT and capacity
building of engineers. The three major components of the water supply schemes include
design of Water Treatment Plant, Distribution and Elector-mechanical.
As per initially identified project sites, the scope of work covers 7 Dzongkhags and 3
Thromdes and the specifics of the work detail are tabled below.

Table 1: Scope of work and locations (issued earlier)

Sl. Description of works Component Location Remarks

No
1 Design of Distribution Water Nganglam, Design of new
Network Distribution Pemagatshel Distribution Network
system
2 Review of Water WTP Nganglam, Review of existing
Treatment plant Pemagatshel design
3 Design of Water Electro- Norbugang, Design of new pumps
Pumps mechanical Pemagatshel
4 Design of Water WTP & Denchi, Design of new WTP
Treatment Plant and Distribution Pemagatshel and Network System
Distribution Network Network
5 Design of water Electro- Shumar, Design of new
pumping system mechanical Pemagatshel pumping system
6 Review the design of Electro- Zobel, Review and
existing water mechanical Pemagatshel recommend the causes
pumping system of malfunction of
existing pumping
system
7 Design of Distribution Water Dewathang, Design of new
Network Distribution Samdrupjongkha network system
r Thromde

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Sl. Description of works Component Location Remarks

No
8 Design of Water WTP & Samdrupcholling, Design of new WTP
Treatment Plant and Distribution Samdrupjongkha and Distribution
Distribution Network Network r Dzongkhag Network System
9 Design of Water WTP & Jomotshangkha, Design of new WTP
Treatment Plant and Distribution Samdrupjongkha and Distribution
Distribution Network Network r Dzongkhag Network System
10 Design of Distribution Water Gyelposhing, Design of new
Network Distribution Mongar Distribution network
system
11 Design of water Electro- Khengkhar, Design of new
pumping system mechanical Mongar pumping system
12 Design of water Jurmey, Mongar Design of new
pumping system pumping system
13 Design of Water WTP & Gedu, Chhukha Design of new WTP
Treatment Plant and Distribution and Distribution
Distribution Network Network Network system
14 Design of Water WTP & Tshimisham, Design of new WTP
Treatment Plant and Distribution Chhukha and Distribution
Distribution Network Network Network system
15 Design of water Electro- Pachu, Chhukha Design of new
pumping system mechanical pumping system
16 Design of Water WTP & Lhamoizhingkha, Design of new WTP
Treatment Plant and Distribution Dagana and Distribution
Distribution Network Network Network system

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Table 2: Revised Work Activities and Project Sites (Issued: WSD)

Water treatment plant Water pipe line Electromechanical
WTP design (5 PIU) WTP review (10 nos) DBOT Transmission Distribution Integration Design Rehabilitaion
Wangdue Pema
Phuentsholing Phuentsholing Pema Gatshel, Pema Gatshel, Chukha,
1 1 Trongsa 1 1 1 1 Phodrang, 1 1 Gatshel,
Thromde, Amochu Thromde, Omchu Denchi Denchi Pachu
Hetshotsamchu Khonmari
Thimphu
Pema Gatshel, Pema Gatshel, Mongar, Zhemgang,
2 2 2 Thromde, 2 Chukha, Gedu 2 Mongar, Gyalposhing 2 2
Denchi Nganglam Khengkhar Ganglabi
Simtokha
Samdrup
Phuentsholing Jongkhar, Pema Gatshel, Mongar,
3 3 Wangdue Phodrang 3 3 3
Thromde, Barsachu Samdrupchoeli Ngalam Jurmey
ng
Samdrup Jongkahr Pema
Chukha,
4 Dzongkahg, 4 Mongar, Gyalposhing 4 4 Gatshel,
Tshimasham
Samdrupchoeling Shumar
Samdrup Jongkhar Pema
5 Chukha, Gedu 5 Mongar, Yagpogang 5 Thromde, 5 Gatshel,
Dewathang Norbugang
Chukha,
6 6 Zhemgang, town 6 Chukha, Gedu
Tshimsham
Samdrup Jongkhar,
7 Zhemgang, Tingtibi 7
Samdrupchoeling
Phuentsholing, North
8
treatment palnt
Phuentsholing,
9 Kharbandi treatment
plant
10 Thimphu Thromde
Dagana,
11
Lhamoizingkha
Reveiw of new
design and existing

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Under Phase 2, the design engineers/ experts of the consultancy firm will be required
to monitor and provide technical support in person during the
construction/implementation phase after the completion of contract/design period as
and when required.

The Joint Venture of Gyaltshen Consultancy, Bhutan and Crux Consultants Pvt. Ltd.,
Delhi, India has been awarded the work to undertake the Water Flagship Program
assignment by the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Royal Government of
Bhutan.

This report has been prepared for the design of the Water Treatment Plant at Amochu,
Phuentsholing.

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Figure 1: Identified locations and work activities

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CHAPTER 2 : PROJECT AREA

2.1 Project Area

Phuentsholing is one of the four major municipalities (Thromde) in Bhutan. Phuentsholing

town is located in the south western Siwalik foothills of the country on the left bank of the
Amocchu River. It is the commercial capital of Bhutan and adjoins the Indian town of
Jaigaon in the South. Phuentsholing town covers an area of approx. 15.6 km² and has a
population of 27,658 persons as per the Population & Housing Census Of Bhutan Chhukha
Dzongkha 2017.

The 358 km long Amochhu River originates in the Chumbi valley in the Tibet Autonomous
Region, flows through western Bhutan and enters India (as Torsa River) at the
Phuentsholing-Jaigaon border. The Amochhu catchment area is 2,298 km², which is about
6% of Bhutan’s total land area and the river has an average annual flow of 9,375 x10 6 m³ or
297 m³/s (Dorji, 2016).

A study has been undertaken by the Water and Sanitation Division, Department of
Engineering Services Ministry of Works and Human Settlement Royal Government of
Bhutan at the proposed site to construct the pilot RBF (River Bed Filtration) scheme for the
municipality’s Amochhu drinking water treatment plant (WTP). The proposed site is
located in the floodplain around 6 km upstream of the town in a meander of the Amocchu
River (Figs. 1–3). The site lies within the Torsa Tar Local Area Plan. It is at the upstream
end of the site of the Phuentsholing Township Development Project site (PTDP; Fig. 4),
formerly called Amochhu Land Reclamation and Township Project.

The PTDP is presently being developed (constructed) along the nearly 6 km long left bank
of the Amochhu between Phuentsholing town and the proposed WTP site. The floodplain
is approx. 500–700 m wide at the site. The main river channel separates into two channels
at the start of the meander. An island lies between the channels. The width of the channels
at the time of the recce was between 30 m and 50 m and the distance from the proposed
site for the RBF well to the waterline of the nearest channel was approx. 100–110 m.

Fig. 1: Overview of Phuentsholing town and proposed water treatment plant and RBF site by Amochhu river
upstream of Phuentsholing (Source of image: Google Earth) with PTDP site in between.

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Fig. 2: Close-up view of proposed site for WTP and RBF site by Amochhu river (HTWD, March 2020).

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Fig. 3: Proposed site for WTP and RBF site by Amo Chu river upstream. Photo taken facing downstream/ West
(HTWD, March 2020).

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Fig. 4: Earth works and compaction of the floodplain of the Amochhu River to reclaim land for the PTD
project downstream of the proposed RBF site (HTWD, March 2020).

Most of the floodplain is inundated during monsoon (May/June–August/September).

The flood water level was nearly at the ground surface elevation of the proposed RBF
site in 1999/2000 (verbal communication by local residents). The site for the proposed
water treatment plant and RBF well is relatively flat and the ground surface elevation is
estimated to be between 227 and 230 m ASL.

2.2 Hydrogeology and hydrology

There is not much public domain literature or unpublished technical/scientific reports

on the hydrogeology of the region in/around Phuentsholing. Nevertheless,
groundwater contributes to Bhutan’s overall water resources. However, it is believed to
be limited to the wider and flatter valleys in the mountains and to areas bordering the
plains of India (such as the Terai in/around Phuentsholing), with the latter expected to
have significant groundwater reserves (Dorji, 2016). Groundwater is already being
abstracted in some of these areas.

2.3 Study Recommendations

The study undertaken by the Department was in a nascent stage when the work was
stopped due to the restrictions of travel due to COVID-19. Based on the interpretation
of data and information from the site recce and desktop analyses the consultants have
proposed the following :

 The infiltration discharge rate could be anywhere between 35 m 3/hour to 65

m3/hour for a single well.
 For a requirement of 3,000 m3/day 3 to 6 wells would be required.
 The proposed site is generally suitable for RBF.

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However, the recommendations need to be finalised after conducting the have the
following field investigations :

 Determine the saturated aquifer thickness from an exploratory well

 The physical site characteristics (fluvial conditions, geomorphology and Ground
surface levelling of the proposed RBF site in meters above mean sea level (m
ASL) need to be ascertained.
 Drilling of the exploratory well and simultaneous sediment sampling for
grainsize distribution analyses (including estimation of hydraulic conductivity)
and determination of depths to groundwater table and bedrock.
 Determination of river water levels (m ASL) along the edge of the RBF site.
 Performing a pumping test to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the
aquifer more accurately.
 Calculation of aquifer capacity and well yield and therefrom the number of wells
required to meet the water demand of 3,000 m³/day or 125 m³/hour (3 MLD).
Numerical groundwater flow modelling to determine the travel time and
portion of bank filtrate and to optimise the number of wells, their location and
separation to one another.

2.4 Report Conclusion

It can be concluded from the above report that due to constraints of field investigations,
the exact ground and sub-soil conditions have not been considered to provide a
dependable yield for the RBF / infiltration gallery design.

2.5 Consultant’s Assessment of feasibility report

The study of the report indicates that field investigations need to be undertaken to
assess the following :

 River morphology in terms of fluctuating water levels, sedimentation

transportation, erosion and upstream activity, if any.
 Ground Profile in terms of ground water table, sediment permeability,
anticipated strata, unconfined aquifer, if any, etc.
 Hydro-geological properties of the strata in terms of saturated thickness,
transmissivity, permeability, etc by conducting well pumping / borehole test etc.
Safe Yield of the source.
 Ground water variation in terms of seasonal variation, flooding etc.
 Water quality of the source in terms of Total suspended Solids, Silt content, pH,
etc.
 Pumping draw down analysis to assess the gallery spacing for assured yield.
 L-section and X-section for the river profile.

 Water width and water way variation in the river X-section to assess the intake
structure location, if designed.

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The RBF / infiltration galleries can only be designed once the hydro-geological studies
are conducted and the basic parameters (as identified above) required for the design are
provided for the study.

2.6 Consultant’s Site Visit

The Consultants interacted with the officials of the Water Supply Department and
Municipal Department, Phuentsholing. On 16th of July, visited the Toorsa Tar, the
project site along with the Thromde Officials to collect the ground details.

The proposed site for the Water Treatment Plant is located at Latitude: 26.87789021, and
Longitude: 89.33352618, Altitude: 175.87m

The scheme should be designed to cater the water demand of 7.5 MLD

Project Site on the Left Bank of Amochu

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From the edge of Left Bank of

Amochu, the project site is almost

Project Location

150m from the river bank

From the edge of Left Bank of Amochu

This edges much above the left bank of
river indicates that the river/ inundated
water has reached to this point.
Project Location

Residents suggest that during

August, 2000 flood the water
reached to the level indicated and
inundated the area proposed for
RBF

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The Municipal Office has planned to pump the treated water from this location to BPT
uphill and supply to the town through gravity flow. The transmission line from BPT to
the town is in tendering phase.

The plot allocated for the BPT tank on the uphill is only 7 decimals of land and the plot
size allocated for the WTP scheme on the left river bank of Amochu is 164 m x 40 m.

CHAPTER 3 : SCHEME DESIGN

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4.1 Water Requirement

As per the data provided by the WSD, the town of Phuentsholing is anticipated to have
a water demand of about 7.5 MLD or 7,500,000 liters per day by the year 2052. The
average flow requirement would be 312.50 m³/hour or 0.087 m³/s.

4.2 Water Availability

The water source is the Amocchu River which has an average annual flow of 9,375 x10 6
m³ or 297 m³/s or 26 MLD. The river has vast variation of water flow from the flood to
the lean period. As per the available data, the lean period discharge in the river is about
XXXXXX m³/s or XXXX MLD.

Thus as seen from the rive discharge data, the source has sufficient water even during
the lean period to

4.3 Intake Well

The PTDP is presently being developed (constructed) along the nearly 6 km long left
bank of the Amochhu between Phuentsholing town and the proposed WTP site. The
floodplain is approx. 500–700 m wide at the site. The main river channel separates into
two channels at the start of the meander. An island lies between the channels. The width
of the channels at the time of the recce is between 30 m and 50 m. Since the intake well
has to be in the river water during the lean period and appropriate site shall have to be
decided for the placement of the intake well after undertaking the river morphology
study.

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