Progress of Water Environment
Governance in Myanmar

The 15th WEPA Annual Meeting and International Workshop
6-8 February 2020Bangkok, Thailand

Presentation Outline
 Overview of Water Environment Governance Problems on Water Environment Governance Sector
 Challenges for Water Environment Governance Legislative Framework for Water Environment Governance Institutional Framework for Water Environment Governance Water Quality Monitoring Framework
 Enforcement Instruments for Water Environment Governance Facts and Statistics of Water Quality
 Current Domestic & Industrial Wastewater Management in Major Cities (Nay Pyi Taw, Yangonand Mandalay) Future Plans on Water Environment Governance Gaps for Water Environment Governance Way Forward on Water Environment GovernanceOverview of Water Environment Governance
Cooperation with International Organizations

National Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Central Committee

Myanmar National Water Resources Committee

MyanmarNational
Water Policy

Surface Water

Domestic
Wastewater

National
Environmental
Quality(Emission)
Guidelines

Industrial
Wastewater

Regulationsof Relevant
Ministries
SDGSWater Quality
ControlWater
Environmental
GovernanceApproach (Environmentally Sound Management)

Cooperation and Coordination between Relevant Ministries and Organizations

Problems on Water Environment Governance Sector

Discharging industrial waste water tothe river without treatment(Mandalay)

Wastewater Discharge WithoutTreatment

Water Pollution

Water Pollution

Plastic Waste Pollution

Water Pollution

Challenges for Water Environment GovernanceIndustrial
Development

Baseline
Water
Quality
Data

Stakeholder
Involvement

Water
Environment
GovernanceTechnicalNeeds

Monitoring
SystemFinancial
SupportCoordination

Legislative Framework for
Water Environment GovernanceMyanmar National Water Policy• Myanmar National Water Policy was adopted inAugust, 2015.
• It is aiming to take cognizance of the existing
situation, to propose a framework for creation ofa system of laws and institutions and for a planof a action with a unified national perspective
includingtheMyanmar

Framework Directive.

Water Law

NationalWater

Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP)
A Peaceful, Prosperous and Democratic Myanmar
Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

Goal 4

Goal 5

Peace, National

Economic

Job Creation andHuman Resources

Natural Resources

Reconciliation,

Stability, andPrivate-Sector-led& Social

and theSecurity and Good

Strengthen Macro-GrowthDevelopment

Environment forGovernanceeconomic

the NationalManagementProsperity

Pillar 1

Pillar 2

Pillar 3

Peace and Stability

Prosperity andPeople and Planet

Partnership

8Goal 5: Natural Resources and the Environment for
National Prosperity (6 Strategies and 54 action plans)
Strategy 5.1: Managing biodiversity and the environment in a sustainable mannerfor sound and resilient ecosystems (15 action plans)
Strategy 5.2: Increasing climate-resilience and shifting to a low-carbon growth
pathway (9 action plans)
Strategy 5.3: Providing safe and equitable water and sanitation in ways that ensure
environmental sustainability (7 action plans)
Strategy 5.4: Providing affordable and reliable energy supply to population andindustries (8 action plans)
Strategy 5.5: Improving land governance and sustainably managing resource-basedindustries (6 action plans)
Strategy 5.6: Managing cities and towns efficiently and sustainably (9 action plans)
9

Environmental Law & Regulations (Existing)• Environmental Conservation Law (2012)• Environmental Conservation Rules (2014)• Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures (2015)• National Environmental Quality (Emission) Guidelines (2015)• Notification for (9) Priority Sectors among Existing Industries to conduct
Environmental Management Plan (2018)• National Environmental Policy of Myanmar (2019)• Myanmar Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Master Plan (2019)• National Waste Management Strategy and Master Plan for Myanmar (20182030) – (2020)

National Environmental Policy of Myanmar (2019)

Myanmar Climate Change Policy (2019)
Vision•Myanmar’s vision is to be a climate-resilient, low-carbon society that is sustainable,prosperous and inclusive, for the wellbeing of preset and future generations.

Purpose•Take and promote climate change action on adaptation and mitigation in Myanmar;•Integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation considerations into Myanmar’s nationalpriorities and across all levels and sectors in an iterative and progressive manner; and•Take decisions to create and maximize opportunities for sustainable, low carbon, climate
resilient development, ensuring benefits for all.

Guiding Principles•

Sustainable Development•

Precaution•

Prevention•

Environmental integrity•

Shared responsibility and cooperation•

Inclusiveness•Good governance•

Climate justice and equity•

Gender equality and women’s empowerment

Six Sectoral Clusters••••••

Food and water security
Healthy ecosystems
Low-carbon and resilient growthResilient urban and rural settlements
Human wellbeing
Knowledge, awareness and researchInstitutional Framework forWater Environment GovernanceDepartments, Ministries and Organizations which are related with Water Sector
No.

Department

Ministry / Organization

Conservation

Duties and Functions

1.

Environmental
Department

2.

Forest Department

3.

Irrigation and Water
Management Department

Utilization

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock andIrrigation

Provision of Irrigation Water to Farmland

4.

Water
Resources
Department

Utilization

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock andIrrigation

Irrigation and Rural Water Supply

5.

Directorate of Water Resources andImprovement of River System

Ministry of Transport and Communication

River Training and Navigation

6.

DISI

Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry

Industrial Water Use and Discharge

7.

Department
Hydrology

Ministry of Transport and Communication

Water Assessment of Major Rivers

8.

Department ofDevelopment

Ministry of Construction

Domestic Water Supply

9.

Department of Public Health

Ministry of Health and Sports

Environmental Health,Assessment and Control

10.

Department of Development Affairs

Ministry ofAffairs

Rural Water Supply and Sanitation

11.

Department of Research and Innovation

Ministry of Education

Formulation National Standards

12.

Water and Sanitation Department

City Development Committees (Yangon,Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw)

Water Supply and Sanitation at City AreasofMetrologyandUrban and Housing

Ministry of Natural Resources
Environmental Conservation

andFormulation National EQS including Water
Quality Standards

Ministry of Natural Resources
Environmental Conservation

andReforestation and Conservation of Forest
including Watershed Areas

Border Areas Development

Water

QualityCoordination Mechanism between the relevant ministries
and organizations
National Environment Conservation and Climate Change
Committee led by Vice President

Policy, Law, Regulation, procedure and Standards Working Committee

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Working Committee
Regions/States
Environment andNatural Resources, Biodiversity, Culture Heritage Conservation WorkingCommittee

Climate ChangeSupervision
Committee

Industrial Plans, Urban, Rural Waste Management Working Committee
Environmental Capacity Building Development, Education and AwarenessWorking Committee
Green Economy Development Working Committee

Water Quality Monitoring Framework

Environmental Conservation Law
Chapter VII

Environmental Conservation
13.

The Ministry shall, under the guidance of the Committee, maintain a comprehensive monitoring system and implementby itself or in co-ordination with relevant Government departments and organizations in the following matters:(a) the use of agro-chemicals which cause to impact on the environment significantly;(b) transport, storage, use, treatment and disposal of pollutants and hazardous substances in industries;(c) disposal of wastes come out from exploration, production and treatment of minerals, industrial mineral raw materials andgems;(d) carrying out waste disposal and sanitation works;(e) carrying out development and constructions;(f) carrying out other necessary matters relating to environmental pollution.
14.

A person causing a point source of pollution shall treat, emit, discharge and deposit the substances which cause pollution

in the environment in accord with stipulated environmental quality standards.
15.

The owner or occupier of any business, material or place which causes a point source of pollution shall install or use an on-site facility or controlling equipment in order to monitor, control, manage, reduce or eliminate environmental pollution. If it isimpracticable, it shall be arranged to dispose the wastes in accord with environmentally sound methods.

Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure
Chapter IX
Monitoring

106.

The Project Proponent shall submit monitoring reports to the Ministry not less frequently than every six (6)months or periodically as provided in a schedule in the EMP.

109.

The monitoring reports shall include:• documentation of compliance with all Conditions;• progress made to date on implementation of the EMP against the submitted implementation schedule;• difficulties encountered in implementing the EMP and recommendations for remedying those difficulties andsteps proposed to prevent or avoid similar future difficulties;• number and type of non-compliance with the EMP and proposed remedial measures and timelines for completionof remediation;• accidents or incidents relating to the occupational and community health and safety, and the environment; and• monitoring data of environmental parameters and conditions as committed in the EMP or otherwise
required.

Enforcement Instruments for

Water Environment GovernanceNational Environmental Quality (Emission) Guidelines
Objective
These national Environmental Quality (Emission) Guidelines (hereafter referred to asGuidelines) provide the basis for regulation and control of noise and vibration, air emissions,and liquid discharges from various sources in order to prevent pollution for purposes ofprotection of human and ecosystem health.
Notification No. 615 / 2015

No.

Chapter / Annex

29th December 2015

1.

Chapter IGeneral Provisions

2.

Chapter II

Implementation Procedures

3.

Annex AEmission Guidelines
(1)

(2)

General Guidelines

Air Emissions

WastewaterNoise Levels



OdorIndustry Specific Guidelines Energy Sector Development
 Agriculture, Livestock and Forestry Development
 Manufacturing Waste Management
 Water Supply
 Infrastructure and Services Development
 Mining

Notification No. (03/2018) of Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Conservation - Amended in 2019
To undertake Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for existing facilities under 9 Priority Industrial Sectors

No.

Types of Facilities

1.

Alcohol, Wine and Beer Production Factories

2.

Food and Beverage Processing Facilities

3.

Pesticides Manufacturing, Formulation and Packaging Plants

4.

Cement and Lime Manufacturing

Criteria / Size

Time Allowed> 50000 Litter Per Day

12 Months> 10 Tons Per Day

9 Months

All Sizes

9 Months

Cement - > 10 Tons Per Hour

9 Months

Lime - > 20 Tons Per Day
5.

Textile and Dying Facilities> 1 Ton Per Day

12 Months(1) Pre Treatment (Washing, Bleaching, Mercerisation) or Dying of Textiles of Fibres)
6.

Foundry Industry

9 Months(1) Base Metal Smelting and Refining Plant

All Sizes(2) Manufacture of Pig Iron, Raw and Low Alloy Steel from Iron Ore or Scrap Metal)

All Sizes(3) Foundry

All Sizes(4) Non-Ferrous Metal Melting, Smithy and Filigree)
7.

Tanning and Leather Finishing

8.

Pulp and Paper Mill

9.

Sugar Manufacturing Plant> 5 Tons Per Day
All Sizes

12 Months

Pulp > 20 Tons Per Day

12 Months> 50 Tons Per Day

12 Months

Facts and Statistics of Water Quality

Basic Water Environment Management in Myanmar
 Cooperation between ECD and JICA
 Duration – 3 Years (2015 – 2018)
 Technical Cooperation
 Implemented Areas• Hlaing River Basin, Yangon• Doke Hta Waddy River Basin, Mandalay

Hlaing River Basin (Yangon)

Doke Hta Waddy River Basin (Mandalay)Sampling Points and Sampling Dates of Hlaing River Basin

BOD and COD Levels in Hlaing River Basin

Comparison with Draft Drinking Water Quality Standard for Possible Domestic Water Supply (Hlaing River Basin)

Water Quality Survey Results in Hlaing River Basin Except TSS (Total Suspended Solid) and total coliform, the water quality in Hlaing River and Pan
Hlaing River in the rainy season (September 2017) was acceptable for conservation of aquatic
lives, irrigation and water transportation based on the Vietnamese surface water quality guidelinevalues.
 During the dry season (February 2018), the water quality deteriorated as shown by high COD
detected at some points and slight oil and grease detected at all points.
 Only the upstream area of Hlaing River (upstream of Shwe Pyi Thar Bridge) still kept the goodwater quality desirable for irrigation and water transportation except above-mentioned TSS, total
coliform and oil and grease.
 In the middle-stream of Pan Hlaing River (upstream of Hlaing Bridge), the river water wasextremely muddy in February 2018 resulting in very low dissolved oxygen (DO) and high BOD

and COD, presumably due to the effect of sediment in the water stirred by a surging tide flow orother reasons.
 The results in these rivers did not exhibit levels of toxic pollutants harmful for human health. Onlyslight lead (0.058 mg/L) was detected in downstream area in Pan Hlaing River in February 2018,but it was considered as one originally contained in the natural sediment.

Sampling Points and Sampling Dates of Doke Hta Waddy River Basin

BOD and COD Levels in Doke Hta Waddy River Basin

Comparison with Draft Drinking Water Quality Standard for Possible Domestic Water Supply (Doke Hta Waddy River Basin)

Water Quality Survey Results in Doke Hta Waddy River Basin•

The Doke Hta Waddy River seems to have adequate water quality for domestic water supply with water treatment facility using
filters and other ordinary means. The level of organic pollution does not appear to be very high. None of the results in this project
showed elevated levels of toxic substances. The water quality did not dramatically vary in seasons or from point to point.

•Until the 3rd water quality survey in February 2017, the wastewater discharged from 10-inch pipeline had contained highconcentrations of pollutants that included oil and grease, phenols and hexavalent chromium in addition to organic materials andnutrients. The concentrations of these pollutants were higher than the guideline values applied to general wastewater (generalapplication, National Environmental Quality (Emission) Guidelines, 2015). It was noted that the pollution impact of this 10-inch
pipe wastewater on water quality of Doke Hta Waddy River was limited because of the large dilution capacity of the river, though
localized pollution and adverse impact, such as an awful odor to residents in the vicinity of the discharging point, wereundeniable.

•After several distilleries in Pyi Gyi Tagon IZ were shut down their operation temporarily from June – August 2017 by instructionsof Mandalay Region Government and MCDC, the pollution load from the 10-pipe line seemed to decrease. However, thedischarging wastewater still contained oil and grease, phenols, and other pollutants.

•The concentrations of pollutants in the dry season was higher than those in the rainy season for most sampling points and for mostparameters. This is similar to the Hlaing River basin. On the other hand, the pollution loads of organic substances, i.e., BOD andCOD, in Doke Hta Waddy River in October 2017 seemed larger than those in February 2018. It indicated that the storm water inthe rainy season flushed more organic substances with soils from the upper basin to the river, though the concentrations of organic
substances is not higher because of the dilution effect.

Water Quality Monitoring by ECD (Head Office andRegion & State Offices)Current Domestic & Industrial Wastewater Management in Major
Cities (Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay)Future Plans on

Water Environment GovernanceNational Environmental Quality Standards
Proposed National Environmental Quality Standards
1.

Surface Water Quality Standards

2.

Emission Standards

3.

Ground Water Quality Standards

4.

Soil Quality Standards

5.

Noise and Vibration

First Priority Formulation
Surface Water Quality Standards – 50 Parameters are already selected from 661
Parameters by consultation with other relevant ministries and organizations

Proposed Projects of ECD related withWater Environment Governance• Project on Capacity Development in Enforcement and Promotion of EnvironmentalCompliance Cooperation between ECD and JICA

• Establishing a National Water Quality Monitoring System and Building the National
Laboratory to Improve the National Capacity for Water Quality Management inMyanmar
 ODA Project (On going) – Cooperation between ECD and KOICA

Gaps for Water Environment Governance Database System (Baseline Water Quality Data) National Environmental Quality Standards
 Environmental Quality Monitoring System

Way Forward for Water Environment Governance

National Water Quality
Standards
Technical Guidelines & Regulations for Monitoring

Water Quality Monitoring System
Effective Enforcement and Compliance

Assessment and Revise Water Quality Standards based on
experiences learned by Implementation and Technology
Monitoring and Effective Enforcement

Thank you for your time and kind attention!
Dr. Tin Aung Win
Deputy Director
Environmental Conservation Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Myanmar
mr.embryo@gmail.com / +9567431321