The project to establish a central industrial wastewater treatment system has started in Mandalay Industrial Zone (2) in Mandalay Region with 65 percent financial aid from Responsible Business Fund (RBF) of Denmark and 35 percent aid from local SMEs.

The treatment plant can treat over 60,000 gallons of wastewater from 23 leather processing factories.

There have been reports that wastewater from Mandalay Industrial Zone is flowing to Dokhtawady River through a 10-inch pipe without being treated.

An agreement was signed in mid-October this year to implement the project which is due to be completed in six months, said an official from Myanmar Water Engineering and Products Co Ltd.

"The project will cost over K500 million. RBF will provide 65 percent (K328.5 million) and SME owners 35 percent. The land for the project has been bought by those SME owners. The plot measures 60 feet by 80 feet. When the plant runs, wastewater from the factories will be treated by charging them based on unit," said Win Khin Maung, an expert who takes charge of the wastewater treatment system.

Currently, over 90 factories from Mandalay Industrial Zone produce wastewater to Dokhtawady River through a 10-inch pipe. Local people living in about 13 nearby villages complain that their health conditions are affected by the wastewater.

Mandalay Mayor Dr Ye Lwin posted a remark on his Facebook page saying: "A Thai-based company that won tender in 2015 to establish a central wastewater treatment system was asked to change the system design it submitted. Mandalay City Development Committee accepted the latest design presented by the company. But the tender has potential to be cancelled as the company has not replied for over six months."