Water Environments in the Southern Delta of Myanmar During the Rainy Season

Abstract

Some diseases in Myanmar during the rainy season are related to the water environment and the water quality. In order to contribute to ensuring safe water supply, we collected and analyzed water samples in Myanmar in September 2011. Early research had already reported that coliform and E. Coli were detected in all the survey areas. We examined the water quality, especially chemical components harmful for health, and classified the sample waters into water quality-types in order to identify the sources and contamination. We obtained the following results: (1) Some tube well, dug well, and filtered waters were estimated to be contaminated and unsuitable for drinking and domestic water. (2) Waters at elevation less than about 10 m were more likely to be polluted. (3) The chemical components beyond the drinking water guideline values of World Health Organization (WHO) for health were NO 2 -, NO 3 -, Pb 2+ , and Mn 2+ . (4) For the taps with longer direct distance from the pumping station and lower elevation, there were several cases in which the tube well water geographically close to the tap intruded into the tap of filtered water. Then, we suggested some recommendations for water treatment based on WHO guidelines, and we also suggested the desirable improvements to the water supply systems. The first potential approach to treatment of drinking water supplies is to dilute the contaminated water with a low-contaminated source (e.g., high-elevation reservoirs). The desirable improvement to the water supply systems are as follows: (a) piping routes from reservoir to user places should be maintained as sanitary and clean, and (b) tube well water systems should be improved to prevent the intrusion of contaminants.

Evaluation of Yangon city tap water quality and the efficacy of household treatment

“…According to researchers from the city's Health Research Department, acute diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years due to drinking-water contamination is prevalent in Yangon, occurring in 4.74% of 211 households examined (Sulatt et al 2015). Previous studies (Sakai et al 2013;Senda et al 2014;Sulatt et al 2015) have revealed the presence of fecal coliforms in tap water, bottled water, groundwater, and water from reservoirs in the Yangon region. A study team from Japan recommended the dilution of contaminated water with a low-contamination water source as a potential approach to the treatment of drinking-water supplies (Senda et al 2014).…”

“…Previous studies (Sakai et al 2013;Senda et al 2014;Sulatt et al 2015) have revealed the presence of fecal coliforms in tap water, bottled water, groundwater, and water from reservoirs in the Yangon region. A study team from Japan recommended the dilution of contaminated water with a low-contamination water source as a potential approach to the treatment of drinking-water supplies (Senda et al 2014). Tube well water (groundwater) has been used to augment the insufficient water supply from reservoirs in some areas of the city.…”

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a small percentage of the population practiced in-home water treatment, and that additional water safety actions were needed in Myanmar (WHO 2015). In contrast to the situation in developed countries, much improvement is required to supply tap water to all regions in Myanmar (Senda et al 2014). As part of the National Strategy for Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (GRUM 2016), the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar encourages the use of household water treatment in areas without access to safe water.…”