Arsenic contamination of water sources in rural Myanmar

Arsenic contamination of drinking water sources is an emerging public health issue in Myanmar. In early 2000, Save the Children UK’s (SC UK) Water and Sanitation Programme identified arsenic contamination of groundwater in rural Ayeyerwady River Delta project communities. Since that time, there has been growing interest, concern and action related to arsenic testing, communication and mitigation in Myanmar. The magnitude of arsenic contamination of groundwater sources in Myanmar is unknown, as no comprehensive studies have been conducted. This paper describes SC UK’s experience conducting an extensive water quality survey of drinking water sources in project communities and implementation of a community-based pilot arsenic action project.