Pure Water to Rural Villages & Agriculture Water Supply in Myanmar, with SOLAR POWER

The basics of the country –

Myanmar is 676,578 square kilometres (261,228 square miles) in size.

According to the census of 2017, population is 53,582,855.

International Boundaries - Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, Thailand.

90% of total rainfall occur during May to October and climate is Tropical Monsoon type

The government of Myanmar, as defined by the Constitution of 2008, functions as a parliamentary republic. In this type of government, the heads of the Cabinet are responsible for carrying out the laws set forth by Parliament.

Administrative Capital: Naypyidaw

Financial Capital: Yangoon

Financial Products: Natural gas, Rice, Pulses, Beans, Jade and Gems

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF MYANMAR

?      Bordered in the Northwest by Bangladesh and India. North and Northeast bordered by Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan province for a Sino-Myanmar border total of 2,185 km (1,358 mi). Bounded by Laos and Thailand to the southeast.

?      Myanmar has 1,930 km (1,200 mi) of contiguous coastline along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea to the southwest and the south

?      In the north, the Hengduan Mountains form the border with China. Hkakabo Razi (5,881 metres) is the highest point in Myanmar. Many mountain ranges, such as the Rakhine Yoma, the Bago Yoma, the Shan Hills and the Tenasserim Hills exist within Myanmar

?      The mountain chains divide Myanmar's three river systems, which are the Irrawaddy, Salween (Thanlwin), and the Sittaung rivers. The Irrawaddy River, Myanmar's longest river, nearly 2,170 kilometres (1,348 mi) long, flows into the Gulf of Martaban. Fertile plains exist in the valleys between the mountain chains. The majority of Myanmar's population lives in the Irrawaddy valley, which is situated between the Rakhine Yoma and the Shan Plateau.

Water Sources of Myanmar

 Myanmar is rich in water resources and the catchment area of Myanmar’s rivers comprises about

737800 km2. Potential water resources volume is about 1082 km3 for surface water and 495 cubic km for groundwater.as well constitute national water resources annually.

As an agro-base country of Myanmar, water utilization for agricultural sector stands for 90% while industry and domestic use is only about 10% of the total water use. The total utilization of the nation’s water resources is only about 5 percent of the potential. It is clear that the physical potential for further development of water resources in Myanmar is quite substantial.

However with the increase of population and enhanced need for water for economic activities, there is increasing pressure on use of surface water and extraction of groundwater. Control and management of surface water and groundwater is therefore important for sustainable development of the country in future.

1) Rainfall

Myanmar receives its annual rains mainly from the south-west monsoon from mid-May to mid-October. 90% of the annual rainfall in different regions of Myanmar are monsoonal. Myanmar receives its annual rains mainly from the south-west monsoon from mid-May to mid-October. 90% of the annual rainfall in different regions of Myanmar are monsoonal.

Rainfall receives 5000 mm in the south and western coastal strips, 2000 mm to 3000 mm in the delta, 1250 mm to 3000 mm in the north and eastern hilly regions and dropping to below 750 mm in central Myanmar.

2) Groundwater

?       How peoples are dependent on groundwater for drinking water

?      General Water Depth:- 20m to 25m

3) Surface Water

There are four main river systems namely the Ayeyarwady, the Thanlwin, the Chindwin and the Sittoung.

Due to favourable climatic condition, the total surface water potential of Myanmar is about 1000 KM3 per year from ten major river basins.

Water Quality

?      Arsenic contamination in drinking water has been found in all over Myanmar, according to Mizzima News’ report. Quoting Deputy Director of Occupational Health from the Ministry of Health from Myanmar, the news reported “water contaminated with arsenic at levels above 10 ppb (parts per billion) – the level set as permissible by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – was found in the states and divisions of all 12 regions. The survey was done in 12 regions of Myanmar which include Yangon (Rangoon), Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwaddy) , Pegu (Bago), Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay and Thanintharyi Divisions and Kachin, Rakhine (Arakan), Mon, Shan (North) and Shan (South) States. The survey was a joint cooperation between UNICEF, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Border Region Municipal. According to Dr. Than Htut of Ministry of Health, arsenic level higher than 10 ppb (parts per billion), the level permissible by WHO for drinking, was found in all 12 regions where survey was conducted. The highest level of arsenic in water was found in Rakhine (Arakan) State, Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwaddy) and Pegu (Bago) Divisions.

?      Myanmar has the problem of salinity in water near to the coastal line area.

Community Dependent on water supply

According to MICS (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey ) by UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, overall 82.3% of the population use an improved source of drinking-water, 93.2% in urban and 77.6% in rural areas. The source of drinking-water for the population varies across states and regions

 Urban areas have better access to improved piped water than rural areas. Only 4.1% of households in Myanmar have piped water into the dwelling.

The use of unprotected wells is high in Kayah (23.8%), Kayin (43.9%) and Rakhine (37.2%). In Magway, 10.6% of the population relies on surface water.

 Water treatment at home is estimated to be carried out by 34.5% of the population: treatment by cloth is carried out by 76.2%, boiling by 1.4%, and water filter by 0.6%. It is also estimated that 12.2% of the population does not use water treatment, and unsafe drinking-water coverage is 33.1%.

 Improved sanitation access over all is estimated to be 77%—84% in urban and 74% in rural areas. The areas with the least coverage are 48% in Rakhine and 68.3% in Shan North.

Solution from Nova for the Pure Drinking water

The Solar Chilled RO Water ATM is an innovative water purification devised to utilize the power of the sun during the day and produce the purified water for the people, hence assuring uninterrupted pure water supply. The system consists of pumps which runs on power generated from the photovoltaic solar cells and.

A solar array is installed near the System. The pump takes the water from the source (Surface or ground), and store it in awater tank. Then pass it through various filtration components.

At output it can be Coin vending or Card system and water disposal will be as pre-defined.

Also, A street Light will enhance the visibility of the site and keep it safe.

This will not only keep the local entrepreneur sustain but also creating macro economy. The money by which they used to buy packed water, now that can be used to develop their own society but also create an economical growth. Savings will allow to enjoy low cost pure water and simultaneously the local setup of the drinking water system will be able to give water for gardening and macro agriculture. A system with multiple use is always good for the rural community.

 Utilization of water resource management 

It is needed for the authority concerned to raise awareness to the public through education and to convey the importance of water resources for the economic, social and all-round development of all the sectors.

Therefore concerted efforts should be made to get clean drinking water. We should be aware of the global water-shortage caused by ground water over-pumping and aquifer depletion. The adequate treatment of waste- water is required and it is a solution to this problem.

Whatever it is, it is better to make efforts for implementation of solving water issues such as acquisition of adequate water supply, valuation of water, protection from floods and storms, conservation of water resources with systematic management in the long run.