Ngawang Rabgyal, Director of Lha Charitable Trust.
Lha operates the Clean Water Project which provides water filtration systems for schools in Dharamshala, India. These schools are primarily attended by Tibetan refugee children. To date, 30 schools have water filtration systems and clean water provided through the Clean Water Project
Q1 please describe your work with the LHA clean water project?
Ans: I was an active member of Lha since 2003 and in July 2008, I was elected as Trust Chairman and appointed to be the Executive Director of Lha. Before working at Lha, I have personally felt that Dharamshala Community is suffering from the problem of both contaminated drinking water and water shortages. The large number of refugees living in poverty helplessly has to rely on India’s inadequate public water system, which cause water borne diseases. So in 2010 we incepted the Clean Water Project by installing water purifier units at various sites. So far, we have been able to install 14 water purifier systems in Himachal Pradesh and other states as well.
Q2 what is the biggest challenge facing Dharamshala about clean water.
Ans: The main source of water to Dharamsala is from mountain and underground water which is contaminated in nature. According to a 2009 survey, 94% of Tibetan Refugees drink tap water because very few can afford filter water. Therefore, people have scarce access to clean and purified drinking water.
Q3 please describe the Clean Water Project and how it works.
Ans: Clean Water Project is run through funds and donations made by our generous supporters. After accumulating enough money to afford a water purifier system and tank, we send notice to schools that are in need of such water purifiers. Then we select those schools where such water filter systems are necessary and how much water purifier that we can install. This work is handled by our Health and Environment officer Mr. Demay Tsering, who is in charge of this project. He coordinates with schools and the supplier of the water filter and makes reports on the completion of projects. He is in constant contact with the school administrations to check whether the water purifier is working from time to time.
Q4 please describe the technology used to filter the water at the schools.
Ans: The water filter systems that we are providing is an RO+UV+UF and TTS, considered as one of the best systems available in the area. It provides more than 100 liters of purified drinking water per hour. The filtration system includes a stainless steel tank with 500 liters holding capacity. The service of the water purifier is free of cost for the first year but after that, the school has to bear the cost as our organization cannot afford the maintenance charges every year. We do keep in contact with the respective schools and call for services when needed.
Q5 What is the health impact of unclean water
Ans: Contaminated and unclean water can cause various diseases for example; chronic gastro-intestinal problems including extreme diarrhea, typhoid and cholera. Of these, typhoid, diarrhea and cholera are regularly reported in the Tibetan refugee community.. Not only does such illness affect the growth, health and livelihood of people but these illnesses have proven fatal in the past too.
Q6 What type of water borne disease is found in Dharamshala
Ans: As mentioned above, illnesses caused by unclean and contaminated drinking water include chronic gastro intestinal problems including extreme diarrhea, typhoid and cholera. These illnesses are fatal.
Q7 How are children affected in Dharamshala by unclean water
Ans: Because children are vulnerable, they are more prone to water borne diseases. In our records, children have gotten illnesses like cholera, typhoid and diarrhea which not only affect their attendance in classes, their studies but also to their growth and physical development.
Q8 What are the immediate needs of the people of Dharamshala regarding clean water and adequate sanitation.
Ans: The immediate needs of the people of Dharamshala are easy access to clean drinking water, proper disposal of garbage lying open in streets. Increase in the number of dustbins and usable public toilets in town will help improve sanitation.
Ans: I was an active member of Lha since 2003 and in July 2008, I was elected as Trust Chairman and appointed to be the Executive Director of Lha. Before working at Lha, I have personally felt that Dharamshala Community is suffering from the problem of both contaminated drinking water and water shortages. The large number of refugees living in poverty helplessly has to rely on India’s inadequate public water system, which cause water borne diseases. So in 2010 we incepted the Clean Water Project by installing water purifier units at various sites. So far, we have been able to install 14 water purifier systems in Himachal Pradesh and other states as well.
Q2 what is the biggest challenge facing Dharamshala about clean water.
Ans: The main source of water to Dharamsala is from mountain and underground water which is contaminated in nature. According to a 2009 survey, 94% of Tibetan Refugees drink tap water because very few can afford filter water. Therefore, people have scarce access to clean and purified drinking water.
Q3 please describe the Clean Water Project and how it works.
Ans: Clean Water Project is run through funds and donations made by our generous supporters. After accumulating enough money to afford a water purifier system and tank, we send notice to schools that are in need of such water purifiers. Then we select those schools where such water filter systems are necessary and how much water purifier that we can install. This work is handled by our Health and Environment officer Mr. Demay Tsering, who is in charge of this project. He coordinates with schools and the supplier of the water filter and makes reports on the completion of projects. He is in constant contact with the school administrations to check whether the water purifier is working from time to time.
Q4 please describe the technology used to filter the water at the schools.
Ans: The water filter systems that we are providing is an RO+UV+UF and TTS, considered as one of the best systems available in the area. It provides more than 100 liters of purified drinking water per hour. The filtration system includes a stainless steel tank with 500 liters holding capacity. The service of the water purifier is free of cost for the first year but after that, the school has to bear the cost as our organization cannot afford the maintenance charges every year. We do keep in contact with the respective schools and call for services when needed.
Q5 What is the health impact of unclean water
Ans: Contaminated and unclean water can cause various diseases for example; chronic gastro-intestinal problems including extreme diarrhea, typhoid and cholera. Of these, typhoid, diarrhea and cholera are regularly reported in the Tibetan refugee community.. Not only does such illness affect the growth, health and livelihood of people but these illnesses have proven fatal in the past too.
Q6 What type of water borne disease is found in Dharamshala
Ans: As mentioned above, illnesses caused by unclean and contaminated drinking water include chronic gastro intestinal problems including extreme diarrhea, typhoid and cholera. These illnesses are fatal.
Q7 How are children affected in Dharamshala by unclean water
Ans: Because children are vulnerable, they are more prone to water borne diseases. In our records, children have gotten illnesses like cholera, typhoid and diarrhea which not only affect their attendance in classes, their studies but also to their growth and physical development.
Q8 What are the immediate needs of the people of Dharamshala regarding clean water and adequate sanitation.
Ans: The immediate needs of the people of Dharamshala are easy access to clean drinking water, proper disposal of garbage lying open in streets. Increase in the number of dustbins and usable public toilets in town will help improve sanitation.
