National Water Policy 2015.

The goal of the National Water Policy is to develop, share and manage the water resources of Myanmar in an integrated, holistic and socially inclusive manner, to contribute significantly to the poverty alleviation, to the green growth and sustainable development of the nation, by providing access to water of equitable quantity and safe quality for all social, environmental and economic needs of the present and future generations.
The Policy seeks to contribut to the food security and poverty alleviation. Water demands to be given priority in the following order and shall be based on economic, social and environmental values of the water determinants: (a) Drinking water, domestic use, water for people; (b) Water for urban and rural sanitation; (c) Water for food security; (d) Water for other uses (industries, hydro-power, beautifications, firefighting, etc...).
To achieve the goal, the Policy proposes eight objectives, which are: (i) Prepare and propose an overarching national water policy based on national water needs and national development policy. (ii) Realization of a sector apex body and strengthening of inter- ministerial cooperation, communication and information sharing. (iii) Invest in water sector by the government to properly manage the country's overall water resources and priority river basins, including development of physical infrastructure, institutions and capacity building. (iv) Increase the efficiency and accountability of service providers in the water supply, sanitation and hygiene, hydropower and irrigation sectors. (v) Disseminate knowledge and create awareness, develop responsible behaviors and create enabling environment for sustainable water use. (vi) Provide national policy and stand point on use of shared water resources and develop cooperation among riparian countries. (vii) Enhance water information, knowledge, know-how, technology, cooperation, consultation and partnerships. (viii) Invest in water, sanitation and hygiene education, vocational training, capacity building, monitoring and enforcement, and learning. The main strategies include: (i) Government to assume the role as an enabler in a participatory and demand driven approach to development and use of the national water resources; (ii) To ensure proper land resources planning and management; (iii) To establish appropriate bodies responsible for water resources management; (iv) To develop and enhance human resources and national technological capacities; (v) Integrated and sustainable development and management of water resources for all sectors to guarantee socioeconomic growth; (vi) Ensuring the efficient means of Domestic Water supply in Myanmar; (vii) The protection of all water resources. (e.g.: Wetlands); (viii) Regulatory controls to be developed in response to needs and at enforceable levels; (ix) The "polluter pays principle” to be enforced; and (xii) To ensure efficient and proper disposal of solid and liquid wastes including human and animal excreta.
Climate change is likely to increase the variability of water resources. Special impetus should be given towards mitigation at micro level by enhancing the capabilities of community to adopt climate resilient technological options. The adaptation strategies could, inter alia, include increasing water storage in its various forms, namely, soil moisture, ponds, groundwater, small and large reservoirs, and their combination.