JICA helps 5000 houses in Sagaing get water
Source: The Myanmar Times
Date: 14 February, 2018
Photo from Google
A project financed by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has started pumping water from the Ayeyarwady River to over 5000 households in Sagaing Region, said U Win Naing, chair of Sagaing City Development Committee.
Financed by an Official Developed Assistance (ODA) agreement, the project near Taung Nyo village can pump over 400,000 gallons of water daily to Zayar, Shwe Min Wun, Mya Yadanar and Nilar wards in Sagaing.
Although tube wells can be dug in these wards, water shortages remain a pressing problem, as it is difficult to find groundwater and the required funding, said local residents.
The project pumps water from the Ayeyarwady River, which is purified through a five-step process to make it drinkable, said U Win Naing.
"We started distributing water on February 11. These areas had no water in the past. We will supply water free of charge. They have to pay taxes for water meters, and we will announce the amount after conducting studies," he said.
The pumping project, which cost K912.73 million, began on April 29, 2016, and became operational on January 31.
It was carried out by the city development committee, Department of Rural Development and JICA.
Households in these areas used to spend about K1500 a day on water for daily use.
"It is very important for us. We cannot dig tube wells everywhere, so we had to buy water from water tankers. Now, we do not need to worry about water because we have enough in our house," said U Min Hlaing of Shwe Min Wun.
