The Drinking Water Supply System

The water system in Tengboche in winter was inadequate for the number of visitors. The summer source that melts from the glacier above Tengboche freezes again in winter. The only other source was two small springs, which dry up and become so muddy and polluted that they were a major health risk. Therefore in winter everyone had to walk twenty minutes to the next village of Devouche and then carry the water 150 meters up to Tengboche on icy north facing path that is slippery and difficult. Many tourists and monks got sick because of the contaminated water.

The water system was the single most important and expensive facility to be built in Tengboche. A feasibility study was undertaken with the assistance of British Water Aid to identify and evaluate the best way to bring clean drinking water to Tengboche in periods of peak demand. Water tests show that the water from the source at Devouche is excellent and of mineral water quality. Therefore, Devouche water source was selected despite the distance and height differential between the two places. This necessitated a system that could operate under the extreme freezing winter conditions on north slopes where the temperatures can drop to minus 25 degree Celsius. A free flowing open system was designed where the water is pumped twice a day during times when the demand for electricity is low. It is stored in 6 large holding tanks in Tengboche from where it is distributed to the monastery kitchen, public taps and the lodges. There is no water standing anywhere: the tanks run empty within four hours and the water in the pipes flows directly back to the pumping station. The pipes are buried well below the ground or covered with earth to avoid freezing.

The unique upper round water tank building has thousands of old glass bottles in the roof. They were left behind by tourists and absorb heat during the day providing insulation from the icy nights. Temperatures never drop below the freezing point inside the reservoir.

The heavy-duty submersible pump is Indian, making spare parts readily available and maintenance easy. A spare pump is in Tengboche in case there is a breakdown. A pumping chamber four meters deep has been constructed and the pump is strong enough 6KWH] to pump the water distance of 1200 meters and height of 150 meters in one go. Fund raising began in 1995 with the Monastery also contributing to the system. It was completed in 1998.

The intake chamber, the pumping station and the reservoir are cleaned three times a year. The water quality from the reservoir is perfect and can be drunk without purification. A small fee is collected from lodges and campers to contribute to maintain the system.

Here it is worthwhile to mention that the expensive heavy-duty electricity cable from Tengboche to the water pump has been financed by the British Embassy's OECD program. Therefore, there is not only electricity for the pump but also the opportunity for a small cottage industry to be developed there to create employment.