Clean Water Supply: Community Water Management Program In Myaungmya District

A total of 4,000 people from five villages of MyaungMya District in Ayeyawady Region will have improved water supply following their participation in the Lien AID Community Water Management program.

The 4-year program is implemented with the Department of Rural Development under the agreement of using 600,000 USD. The program has been implemented in 35 villages of Bogale, Dedaye, Labutta, Myaungmya, and Pyapon townships in Ayeyawady Region.

Chief Officer, Department of Rural Development (Myaungmya Township), Nay Lin Soe said “We have been collaborating with Lien Aid through a pilot project since 2017. In Myaungmya Township, there are places where we get salt water or fresh water, and thus we cannot able to dig well for clean water. So we have to carry out for water resources depending on the villages’ situation. Besides the water supply project, we also provide clean water and sanitation purpose for 880 students from 3 village schools in Dagon May, Mae Kyaw and Nyaung Chaung Lay.”

In Nyaung Chaung Lay Village, a new 10,000-gallon rainwater harvesting and storage tank was built to complement existing water resources. The village is part of Poe Laung  Village-Tract with over 370 households.

Administrator, Poe Laung Village Tract, Than Tun said “At our village, we used to suffer the shortage of drinking water supply from the second week of March to April since it is not able to dig well. So, we requested to the concerned departments for availability of water, and some donors also come here. Now we have got a new 10,000-gallon rainwater harvesting and storage tank and I think it will cover up over 1 month for the whole village. If we get another same tank in our village, we will relieve about drinking water for the summer.”

Moreover, Lien Aid contributed for rehabilitation of an old pond, damaged by Cyclone Nargis in Dagon May  Village. Moreover, new rainwater harvesting ponds were built in Dar Mya Chaung, Gyaung Shae  and Mae Kyaw  Villages. The ponds are equipped with perimeter fencing and hand pumps to protect the water from contamination and overuse.

Chairman, Lien AID, Laurence Lien said “What we do is to improve access to water that’s been the most basic commodity in our lives. So exactly the solution that we contribute to the 5 villages that we’ve completed depends on what the villages want and collective decision making and we’ve implemented new ponds in 3 villages. We are exploring 5 more villages. In total we hope to these five villages will reach to 4,000 people and improve their lives and, automatically it’s about improving the health and well-being of all especially to children.”

Upon completion of the program in early 2020, it is expected that the Community Water Management programme will reach to more than 25,000 people across 35 villages with improved supplies of clean water. Moreover, over 2,000 students from 20 village schools will have access with improved latrines, handwashing facilities, and water supply within their schools.