Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau has been awarded a contract of water system management by Yangon City, Myanmar. The bureau, which has been involved in technical assistance to overseas municipalities such as Bangkok and Taiwan, will launch a full service outside Japan for the first time.

A joint venture of the bureau and two private companies will be in charge of maintenance works such as investigation and repair of water leaks and installation of Japan-made meters in a bid to increase the amount of water supply. The Japanese ODA funded project is estimated to cost around 50 million yen in the six month period.

Water shortage has been a serious problem in Yangon due to growing economy and increasing population. 66% of the total water supply fails to be delivered to users or to be charged. Tokyo possessing the highest standard of water-related technologies such as water purification and quake-resisting pipes was requested assistance by the city. (2010/10/20)