Infrastructure: The Department of Engineering Services (DES) under the works and human settlement ministry signed a Minutes of Meeting (MoM) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for disseminating Japanese technologies for small-scale sewerage systems with energy saving technology on December 12.

The project will be implemented together with the Mokan-Joka System Company Limited (MJS).

According to a press release from the ministry, JICA’s survey scheme aims to demonstrate how efficient and effective Japanese technologies are in improving specific development challenges.

The JICA survey team will support and conduct the survey in cooperation with counterparts from Bhutan to provide an appropriate sewerage system by introducing an improved “fixed biofilm process” type Niimi system as a model and prove its functional performance. The facility is expected to contribute to the improvement of sewerage systems in the country and address environmental issues, according to the press release.

The Hejo area in Thimphu is selected as a model area for construction of a small-scale sewerage system where the improved Niimi (Dojo-Joka) system will be introduced, in order to improve the water quality in small streams.

The survey shall also study disseminating the system, through verification activities to boost up compatibility of such technology for the specific areas and the country as a whole, states the press release.

The principal funding agency is JICA while the agency implementing the survey is Mokan Joka System Company Ltd, with expertise from M&Y Consultants Co Ltd, Research Institute of Traditional Architecture Co Ltd, and (NPO) Japan Dojo-Joka System Network.

According to the press release, the team will work in coordination with the DES and Thimphu thromde. Once complete, the facility will be handed over to the thromde for effective operation and maintenance. The survey will be completed within 18 months.

Staff reporter

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