Strengthening safe drinking water supply in rural Myanmar based on the gravity-driven membrane (GDM) technology

CTCN

Context

Myanmar has substantial water resources; however, the resources are spatially and temporally unevenly distributed. Therefore, water‐related problems caused by different seasonal climate patterns vary depending on the geographic location. ‘Water resource management’ has been targeted as the main sector of concern for climate change adaptation in Myanmar. It was selected as the second priority level sector in the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA).

Rural Myanmar has been unable to access safe drinking water sufficiently. There are many rural communities in which safe drinking water cannot be provided based on their existing facilities. Considering increase in climate change impact, safe and reliable drinking water supply to rural communities has been prioritized as a crucial target for adaptation in Myanmar.

Water pumping system using a diesel engine has been used for irrigation and domestic water and drinking water supply to rural households in Myanmar. However, due to high diesel cost and limited facilities to generate electricity, rural residents have difficulties in use of such system adequately; therefore, they request alternative options for sustainable safe drinking water supply, in particular, to strengthen their climate resilience. A gravity‐driven membrane (GDM) technology is a small scaled, decentralized, eco‐friendly water treatment measure.

CTCN Support

To investigate the gravity‐driven membrane (GDM) technology as an adaptation measure for safe drinking water supply to rural communities in Myanmar:

  • Overall review of drinking water quality and scarcity in rural Myanmar;
  • Site selection to install and test a GDM technology for drinking water supply at community levels;
  • Quality analysis of drinking water sources in the selected site(s) and design of GDM filtration to be applied;
  • Installation of the GDM technology in the selected site(s);
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the quality of drinking water provided from the GDM technology in the selected site(s);
  • Development of a protocol to monitor drinking water quality and maintain the GDM technology at community levels;
  • Capacity building workshop on sustainable management of the GDM technology at community levels;
  • Assessment of dinking water consumption patterns and health survey in the selected site(s).

Expected Impact

It is expected that the GDM technology will be installed at community levels, and treated drinking water will be monitored by an implementor of the technical assistance and the relevant departments of the Government in Myanmar.

Facts

Date of submission
Geographical scope
National
Countries
Myanmar (Burma)
Objective
Adaptation
Phase
Design
Sectors
Water

Project details

Cross-sectoral enabler
Governance and planning
Approach
Community based
Disaster risk reduction
Gender
Final type of assistance
Piloting and deployment of technologies in local conditions
Request NDE
Environmental Conservation Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation

Key documents