Department of Water

Tarayana Foundation | Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan

Proud moment for Department of Water. Congratulations for your special recognition🙏👏.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥, 2025 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐒𝐎𝐬/𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐬

The Department of Water (DoW), under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan, convened two rounds of a two-day consultation on the Water Bill, 2025, in Thimphu. The first round was held with government agencies and academic institutions from April 9–10, 2026, followed by a second round with private sector representatives and CSOs/NGOs from April 16–17, 2026.

Given that water governance spans multiple sectors (health, agriculture, infrastructure, environment, disaster management, and economic development) and requires a multi-stakeholder approach, the primary objective of the consultation was to ensure that the Water Bill is comprehensive, coordinated, and responsive to cross-sectoral needs.

The first round of consultation, it brought together 31 representatives from a wide range of agencies, including the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Industry, and Legal Services Division), Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan (Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, Department of Public Health, and Royal Centre’s for Disease Control), Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Department of Local Government and Disaster Management, Department of Law and Order, and Legal Services Division), Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan (Legal Services Division), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Multilateral Affairs, and Department of Economic and Tech Diplomacy), Sherig Bhutan (Department of School Education), Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Human Settlement, Department of Infrastructure Development, and Department of Surface Transport), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Agriculture, and Department of Livestock), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Policy and Planning Division), National Land Commission, Office of Attorney General, Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan, National Council of Bhutan Secretariat, Office of the Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination, Dratshang Lhentshog Secretariat, and Academic Institutions (Royal University of Bhutan, and Jigme Singye Wangchuk School of Law.

The second round of consultation, it brought together 16 participants from private sectors and CSOs/NGOs, including Bhutan Toilet Organization, WATER-Bhutan, WWF Bhutan, Bhutan Agro Industry Limited, Druk Green Power Corporation, Bhutan for Life, Druk Holding and Investment, Mawongpa Water Solution, National Mushroom Cooperative of Bhutan, RENEW, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Agriculture Association, Automobile Association of Bhutan, Bhutan Ecological Society.

This consultation was built on a series of prior engagements, including internal deliberations within Departments/Agencies under the MoENR, followed by bilateral consultations with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. These sequential consultations ensured that the Water Bill reflects both sector-specific priorities and integrated national interests, thereby contributing to the development of a robust and implementable Water Act.

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐖𝐔𝐀) 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞

From March 12-27, 2026, the Department of Water (DoW) under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan conducted the Formation and Registration Process on Water Users Associations (WUAs) for the beneficiaries/representatives of Water Supply Schemes under the ACREWAS and Adaptation Funded (AF) Project landscapes in Tsirang, Punakha, and Paro Dzongkhags. The program aimed to foster community stewardship for the management and operation of the Water Supply Schemes to ensure sustained water supplies through the WUA. In view of this, the following were the objectives:

• Disseminate the process for the Formation and Registration of WUA,
• Engage the local community on the WUA institutional set-up and filling out of forms, and
• Prepare the local community for the registration of WUA.

In line with these objectives, the program acquainted communities with the Guidelines for Formation and Registration of WUAs in Bhutan (2024), along with the required forms. The program commenced with the rationale, approaches, and an overview of the four key stages for WUA: i) Mobilisation, ii) Formation, iii) Registration, and iv) Operation. This was followed by group breakout sessions to provide hands-on training to help participants fill out the forms and applications in line with the WUA Guidelines. Participants gained detailed guidance on these guidelines, with a focus on completing the essential processes and forms needed for WUA formalisation. Following this, DoW facilitated participants to prepare and consolidate the documents and handed them over to the communities for completion of the process required for the formation and registration of WUA.

The capacity development program gathered more than 615 (F: 221, M: 394) participants and officials from Tsirang (Barshong, Kilkhorthang, Mendrelgang, Patshaling, Puntenchhu, Rangthangling, Tsholingkhar, Tsirangtoed and Sergitahng Gewogs), Punakha (Toedpisa Gewog), Paro (Dopshari, Doteng, Lamgong, Lunyi, Shaba, Tshento and Wangchang Gewogs) and the Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID).

Fund
Tsirang Dzongkhag Administration, Punakha Dzongkhag Administration, Dzongkhag Administration Paro, Adaptation Fund

𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠, 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

The Department of Water successfully completed hydrogeological assessments of selected drying water sources in Dagana Dzongkhag from March 9 to 25, 2026, under the Adaptation Fund Project. The assessments covered four drying water sources: 𝘈𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘪-𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘒𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢 under Tashiding Gewog, 𝘎𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘒𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢 under Tsangkha Gewog, and 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘒𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢 under Tsendagang Gewog.

Prior to the field assessments, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with Local Government officials and beneficiary communities to gather baseline information and better understand the prevailing conditions, challenges, and issues within the respective sub-watersheds. These engagements also provided an opportunity to strengthen awareness on the importance of watershed and springshed management to sustainably manage water resources.
The hydrogeological assessment led to the identification of Potential Recharge Areas (PRAs) in the respective areas. These findings will guide the design and implementation of intervention measures for revival of drying sources in the next phase.

Consultation meetings were also conducted at each gewog with local stakeholders to collaboratively develop intervention plans, followed by field visits within the identified PRAs to identify suitable intervention sites, design appropriate structures, and estimate costs.

The planned interventions are expected to enhance spring discharge, sustain water flow, and improve water security for local communities, while contributing to climate resilience. Moreover, the overall health of sub-watersheds will be improved, enhancing biodiversity and strengthening ecosystem services.

𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲

𝘔𝘰𝘌𝘕𝘙, 𝘔𝘰𝘐𝘛 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘕𝘐𝘊𝘌𝘍 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: Setting a new course for water security in Bhutan and highlighting the link between water and gender equality, the Department of Water (DoW), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan (MoENR), Department of Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Government of Bhutan (MOIT) and UNICEF Bhutan launched four reports during the observation of World Water Day today.

World Water Day, observed annually on 22 March, focuses global attention on the importance of water resources and the urgent need to solve the emergent water crisis. This year’s theme ‘Water and Gender’ highlights how women and girls, who must be at the centre of water solutions to build a more equal and sustainable future.

According to Bhutan’s Gender Action Plan, 2021, water scarcity is deeply gendered, with women and girls carrying the heaviest burden of collecting and managing water while remaining under-represented in decision making. The Gender Action Plan calls for mainstreaming gender into climate and water adaptation projects, to strengthen Bhutan’s resilience in water‑stressed communities while easing the disproportionate burden carried by women and children.

The National Water and Sanitation Report 2025, produced through Water and Sanitation Information System (WaSIS), offers the first reliable nationwide snapshot of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services. It shows strong progress in sanitation with nearly universal basic access and 90 per cent safely managed services but reveals a major gap in drinking water, with just over half the population, 51.2 per cent, dropping from 63 per cent as reported in the National Health Survey report 2023, enjoying safely managed supply.

The National Water Resources Inventory Report, 2026 confirms that Bhutan’s water security is under growing stress. Findings from two districts reveal the gravity of this issue. In Paro, 16 sources have already dried and 117 are drying, while in Thimphu two sources have dried and 110 are drying. Springs and streams, the lifelines for rural drinking water, are the most affected, with climate change, forest degradation, and development activities identified as key drivers.

Advisor to the National Environment Commission, MoENR, Dasho Peljor J Dorji, said that despite having one of the highest per capita water availability in the world, Bhutan is increasingly witnessing the impacts of climate change and other emerging issues.

“Recent assessments show that some water sources have already dried up, while many others are beginning to decline. These trends underscore the need for proactive and adaptive water resource management,” Dasho Peljor J Dorji said. “This year’s theme, ‘Water and Gender,’ urges us to recognise that inclusive and equitable water management is not only a matter of fairness but also a prerequisite for sustainable development.”

The Guiding Tool For Development Of National Integrated Water Master Plan, enhances inclusivity as it provides Bhutan with its first structured framework to move from fragmented water management toward a holistic, climate‑resilient, and inclusive approach. Built around six modules of baseline diagnosis, policy assessment, data management, capacity building, monitoring, and finance, the guiding tool ensures evidence‑based planning, stakeholder engagement, and accountability at every level

UNICEF Representative Rushnan Murtaza, said that UNICEF’s partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan for more than 50 years reaffirm that water and gender equality are closely linked.

“The lived experiences of communities in remote Bhutan underscore the urgency to restore springs and build climate resilient solutions that ease the burden on women and children,” Rushnan Murtaza said. “But they also show us something else: resilience, determination, and hope. Because when a community revives a water source, it revives more than a spring, it revives opportunity, dignity, and the possibility of a better future. So today, we must ask ourselves: Is this the Bhutan we promised our people? And what must we do, what must we commit to, so that safe and abundant water becomes a reality for all?”

The Department of Water in partnership with UNICEF Bhutan, has launched a pilot Climate Resilient Spring Water Source Revival initiative in Jurmey gewog, Mongar district, where families have faced drinking water shortage for decades.

Going beyond access and positioning safe drinking water as both a public health and a climate resilience measure, the Bhutan Drinking Water Quality Standards 2025 modernises the national framework for safe water by aligning with the latest WHO guidelines and introducing updated chemical and microbiological parameters. The standards set clear accountability across ensuring systematic monitoring, water safety planning, and annual audits.

The event has brought together officials from Government agencies, International Organization, Non-Government Organization, Local Government Leaders and students to observe and reflect on the sustainable management and conservation of water resources. Students from the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan shared about their work on water resources conservation and management while College Of Science And Technology. students, highlighted their experience with climate resilient water technology and infrastructure. A female local government leader shared her experience in water resource management.

By the end of the 13th Five‑Year Plan, Bhutan will have universal access to safe drinking water, expand irrigation to boost food security, and invest in climate‑resilient infrastructure and watershed protection, which would accelerate progress towards achieving the SDG 6 goal of Clean Water and Sanitation for All by 2030.

UNICEF Bhutan Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan

Bhutan champions inclusive water security on World Water Day MoENR, MoIT and UNICEF release four key reports linking water security with gender equality and climate resilience.