𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

…𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌, 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒔

By Kinzang Lhamo

Thimphu’s rapid urban expansion has revealed serious sanitation challenges that threaten public health, the environment, and equitable urban development. Although sewer connections have reached over 70 percent of households, nearly one-third of the population- especially those living on steep and difficult terrain- still rely on onsite sanitation systems. These systems are often poorly designed and inadequately maintained, leading to significant sanitation failures, increased pollution, and serious health risks for the city’s residents.

The 2024 Shit Flow Diagram (SFD) Report for Thimphu Thromde details these problems. Many households depend on septic tanks and lined pits for waste containment, but most fail to meet the standards set out in Bhutan’s Septic Tank Manual 2013. This has resulted in frequent overflows, leakages, and the direct discharge of untreated waste into drains and water bodies. The lack of properly constructed soak pits in many areas allows raw sewage to contaminate urban waterways and public spaces.

The illegal dumping of untreated septage from both public and private properties has further worsened the sanitation crisis. The report also highlights that sanitation infrastructure is often overlooked or improperly installed during building construction. Weak monitoring at this stage allows contamination to continue unchecked.

Lyonpo Chandra Bdr. Gurung, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, described the sanitation challenge as complex and multi-dimensional. “It is easy to blame the Thromde or ministries when sanitation problems arise, but the reality is that the issues are far more intricate. They involve planning, local behavior, difficult terrain, and institutional capacity. No single agency can resolve these problems alone,” he said.

He added that sanitation rarely receives the political attention it deserves because its outcomes are less visible than infrastructure projects such as roads or bridges. “Just because sanitation issues are not immediately obvious does not mean they are less important. This makes addressing them even more urgent. Sanitation must be treated as a shared responsibility.”

Topographical challenges in Thimphu also limit equitable access to sanitation. Over 20 percent of households face physical barriers to sewer connections due to steep slopes and rugged terrain. Property disputes and unclear easement rights often prevent neighbors from linking their homes to public sewer networks. These obstacles deepen inequalities in sanitation access across the city.

In response, a comprehensive citywide sanitation assessment was conducted under the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) framework. The assessment reviewed the entire sanitation service chain from containment and collection to transport, treatment, and safe disposal. It also evaluated institutional roles and regulatory frameworks. Capacity-building workshops introduced local government agencies to CWIS principles to promote integrated and inclusive sanitation planning.

Despite relatively high national sanitation coverage- 81.6 percent in urban areas and 85.1 percent in rural areas, according to the 2023 National Health Report- the SFD analysis reveals major gaps in safely managed sanitation. Much wastewater is inadequately treated, and large volumes of fecal sludge are discharged untreated into the environment, causing pollution and health hazards.

The report recommends increasing public awareness of proper septic tank design and maintenance. Many residents and facility managers remain unaware of the guidelines needed to construct and maintain septic tanks and soak pits correctly. Education campaigns are essential to improve compliance and hygiene outcomes.

Behavioral issues also contribute to sanitation failures. Improper disposal of non-biodegradable waste such as diapers, sanitary pads, condoms, wet wipes, and plastic bottles into toilets frequently causes sewer blockages and damages treatment infrastructure. Changing these habits will require sustained public education and outreach.

Chablop Passu, Executive Director of Bhutan Toilet Organization, emphasized the need to view sanitation as an interconnected system. “Sanitation extends beyond having a toilet. It covers the entire chain from flushing waste, treating wastewater, purifying it, and returning clean water to our rivers,” he explained. “By working closely with Thimphu Thromde and following the assessment’s recommendations, we gain valuable insights into managing septic tanks, operating treatment plants, and repairing sanitation infrastructure effectively.”

The review also called for stronger regulations and enforcement. A robust monitoring system is critical to identify failing septic systems and address illegal dumping. This will improve compliance with sanitation laws and allow early intervention to prevent environmental harm.
Legal clarity and enforcement of easement rights are equally important. Many property owners remain disconnected from sewer networks because of unresolved neighbor disputes and unclear legal frameworks. Resolving these issues is essential to ensure fair and equitable sanitation access citywide.

Sanitation deficiencies are especially apparent in informal settlements and construction sites where basic facilities are often lacking. Open defecation persists in these areas, increasing pollution and health risks. The report recommends mandatory installation of pour-flush toilets with adequate containment at all temporary and informal housing sites.
Waste from meat shops and construction activities also creates problems. Blood, grease, and debris are often discharged into sewer chambers, causing blockages and accelerating infrastructure deterioration. The report urges stricter regulation to prevent illegal discharges and hold offenders accountable.

From an infrastructure perspective, practical measures could ease system pressure. Dedicated collection and disposal methods for diapers and sanitary pads would improve management of child feces and non-biodegradable waste. Installing floor traps in kitchens and bathrooms could prevent solid waste from entering sewer lines, reducing clogs and maintenance costs.

Public toilets have also been criticized. Many lack accessibility features, making them unusable for people with disabilities, the elderly, or caregivers with children. The report stresses upgrading these facilities to meet inclusive design standards, emphasizing that sanitation concerns dignity and human rights as much as hygiene.
As Thimphu’s population grows, sanitation challenges will increase. The city faces a critical moment. Implementing the assessment’s recommendations, strengthening regulations, improving infrastructure, engaging communities, and encouraging behavioral change can help build a safer and more sustainable sanitation system.

Lyonpo Gurung summed up the situation: “Pointing fingers won’t solve these problems. We must work together across sectors and responsibilities to build an inclusive and sustainable sanitation system.”
The urgency of these challenges is clear in residents’ daily experiences. Sonam Yangchen, a private sector worker who uses the city bus service, described the difficulties during monsoon season. “Sewage blockages near bus stops make commuting very difficult,” she said. “During heavy rains, blocked drains spill raw sewage onto pathways, and once I had to walk through human waste. It was disgusting and unhygienic.”

Namgay Wangmo, a local resident, shared similar concerns. “Every rainy season, the drains get blocked, and the water floods the roads, turning them muddy and slippery,” she explained. “It becomes a real struggle to walk or cycle, and many people risk slipping or getting stuck in the mud because the situation is not fixed quickly.”
These testimonies highlight the immediate impact of Thimphu’s sanitation problems on daily life. Addressing them requires coordinated efforts from government, communities, and individuals to protect health, the environment, and ensure a dignified urban future for all residents.