Produce purified drinking water for the people

Clean drinking water is essential for public health, and it must meet specific standards, such as being free of sediment, colour, taste, harmful bacteria, and minerals that could pose health risks. Drinking water can carry invisible bacteria and viruses, making unclean water a source of diseases, including infectious diseases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, approximately 1.4 million people die annually from diseases linked to contaminated water, with 80 per cent of these deaths occurring in underdeveloped countries. Alarmingly, one in five child deaths is caused by unclean water. Therefore, access to clean and safe water is critical for a healthy lifestyle.
In Myanmar, the consumption of purified drinking water has surged since the government adopted a market economy. Currently, around 400 purified drinking water industries operate in Yangon City alone. However, the market is also flooded with illegally produced water, posing challenges to the legal industry. Licensed companies are struggling to maintain their share of the market due to lower prices of illegally produced water.
The cost of producing purified water has risen significantly due to increasing prices of raw materials, unreliable electricity, and the need to purchase fuel for generators during power outages. These factors have forced some purified drinking water plants to halt operations.
Producing purified drinking water requires recommendations and approval from the Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite the existence of numerous drinking water factories across Myanmar, many fail to comply with regulations. While labelling might indicate that water is purified, some small-scale, unregistered operations can easily produce bottled water without proper oversight. This lack of regulation and oversight threatens public health as consumers may unknowingly purchase and consume unsafe water.
The booming market for purified drinking water in Myanmar is at risk due to illegal competition and rising production costs. Strict enforcement of regulations and increased oversight are necessary to protect public health and ensure that all drinking water on the market meets safety standards. Without these measures, the spread of waterborne diseases could continue to pose a significant threat, particularly to children and vulnerable populations.
Actually, any businessperson must consider the interests of consumers when manufacturing any products. Drinking safe water is essential for people in their daily routine to build a healthy life. According to the report of the Ministry of Health in 2007, some 82 per cent of people have access to safe water. That is why it is necessary to check sale centres of purified drinking water and factories and take action against offenders under the law.