ABSTRACT
Groundwater accounts for more than 97% of available freshwater (i.e. freshwater not frozen in ice caps and glaciers), and therefore it plays an important role in integrated water resource management and is a key component in making progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6. In Myanmar, groundwater is a vital water source for domestic purposes and is of particular importance in the dry season when surface water sources dry up. In rural areas, typical groundwater sources include tube wells and dug wells. Rainwater harvesting using small jars and tanks, and surface ponds, can supplement water supply in the wet season. The country has large multi-layered sedimentary aquifer systems, which have the potential to meet the dry season needs when surface water sources dry up. This study highlights the current situation regarding rural water supply in Taunggyi District, Shan State, located in the Eastern Highlands of Myanmar. Six case studies are presented, which illustrate the role of groundwater in rural water supply and the water security challenges that local communities are facing. This can be used as a foundation for developing water resource management plans in the future. Overall, the study concludes that there is a lack of water resources management, which makes it challenging to manage water security alongside the pressures of climate change and population growth.
