The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided US$180 million loans to upgrade the water transmission system in Yangon Region, according to an announcement released by ADB on 30 September.
ADB approved a $180 million loan to construct a 34-kilometre water transmission system that will help distribute 818 million litres of water daily to Yangon, which is the largest city of Myanmar.
“The Yangon City Water Resilience Project will address the critical water infrastructure needs associated with bulk water supply in Yangon City and strengthen water safety,” said Alan Baird, the ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist.
“It will help improve the resilience of the country’s major economic hub and support inclusive, sustainable economic growth. Safe, piped water also comes with better sanitation and hygiene, which is critical to controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).”
Yangon accounts for 23 per cent of Myanmar’s gross domestic product (GDP). There are 5.2 million people in Yangon Region, which is 10 per cent of the population of the country.
Although the country’s population is increasing by 2.2 per cent annually from 2014 to 2019, only the lower half of the households have accessed the piped water. The supply of the water service is irregular, and the water quality is also differing. That is the reason why the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) will solve this problem out with the support of ADB.
The assistance of ADB will be helpful to the government in building the new infrastructure such as an intake structure at Nga Moe Yeik Reservoir, an online pumping station 900 meters downstream and a dedicated 2.4 meter-diameter pipeline connecting the reservoir to the Nyaungnhapin water treatment plant.
The project will strengthen YCDC’s ability to operate and manage water services and become more responsive to climate change. It will help YCDC to prepare a roadmap to enhance its self-financing capacity and meet the growing demands for water services.
ADB was established in 1966 with 68 members containing 49 local members.
(Translated by Hay Mar)
