Sittwe Township Municipal Committee has been distributing water via three ways to the areas that have been affected by water shortage.

Sittwe Township Municipal Committee’s executive officer U Kyaw Moe told Narinjara News that his committee has been supplying water from the artesian wells via the pipeline, distributing water with vehicles, and digging artesian wells in the wards.

“Water is supplied to Sittwe from Kandawgyi and Sat Yoe Kya lakes. Kandawgyi has little water left so we can’t supply the water. Water is being distributed regularly from Sat Yoe Kya. Sixteen 4-inch artesian wells have been dug near the Kandawgyi pipeline and water is being pumped from the wells and supplied via the pipeline,” he explained.

“Six water trucks from the municipal and two [water trucks] from the fire department are being used to distribute water from 8 am to 6 pm to wards that need it. There are wards that receive regular water supply. We have announced in the wards to inform us by phone in order not to leave any wards behind,” U Kyaw Moe continued.

Water is mainly distributed to Sin Ku Lan, Danyawaddy, Kone Tan, Mizan, Lanmadaw (South), Ta Yar Thee Su, and Mingan wards with the vehicles and an average of between 30 and 35 rounds are made per day.

Artesian wells have been dug in wards due to the water shortage and 13 two-inch artesian wells have been dug so far.

The residents are also using existing artesian wells and water ponds to solve the water shortage issue in their wards.

Ywar Gyi (North) Ward has a big well, which was dug up by Chinese rich man U Aung Khin Ho, a rice mill owner, and water from this well is sent to a nearby pond, which is used by not only Ywar Gyi (North) Ward but also nearby wards.

“Our family has been maintaining this well for 39 years. Water from this well is used by not only Ywar Gyi (North) Ward but also Lanmadaw, Sin Koo Lan, and Ohn Tabin wards. Even guesthouse owners have come to pump the water with their water trucks,” said U Ba Than from the family which is maintaining the well.

This well is 40 feet deep and can be used any time since it can provide groundwater.

Water sellers have been selling water from Htanbin Yin pond for a month now as Kandawgyi Lake is unable to provide regular water supply.

“I charge Ks 2,000 per cart for nearby areas and Ks 2,500 if the area is a little far and Ks 3,000 for far areas. Since I take time to rest, I have to carry the water seven times per day,” said a person who is selling water from Htanbin Yin water pond.

Lanmadaw (South), Lanmadaw (North), Shwe Pyar (North), Shwe Pyar (South), Ta Yar Thee Su, and Myo Tha Gyi wards have been using water from Htanbin Yin pond.

“Water is being carried with carts from 5 or 6 am to 9 or 10 am. More people come to fetch the water after hours at night. Now, the pond has a depth of ten feet so there is still water left. We have allowed everyone to carry and sell the water as they want. If the water starts running low, we will allow them with restrictions,” said U Maung Kyaw Thein, an administrator of Htanbin Yin Ward.

A resident of Shwe Pyar Ward said the residents have to buy water from water carts by paying Ks 3,000 per cart every day after water stopped running from the pipeline since two weeks ago.

“We have been buying water from a water cart, which carries 10 gallons of containers, for Ks 3,000 per day for two weeks now. Water started running from the pipeline since last night. The water is muddy but it’s better than not getting any water,” said Ko Khin Maung Oo from Shwe Pyar Ward.

Sat Yoe Kya Lake can supply water up to the first week of June.

The new Minister of Municipal Affairs U Win Myint held a meeting with ward administrators and municipal committee members on May 22.

Kandawgyi Lake was created in 1906 while the town was ruled by the British colonial government.