Residents in several townships across Mon State say some local purified water factories are distributing 20-liter drinking water bottles that are dirty and unsafe to drink.
People living in Mawlamyine, Thanbyuzayat, Ye, and nearby towns report that many 20-liter bottles from certain water factories are old, worn-out, and still reused. They also say the water inside sometimes contains debris, making it unsuitable for drinking.
A woman from Thanbyuzayat told IMNA that the quality of bottles and water has noticeably declined.
“In the past, it wasn’t like this. Many bottles are now very old, and some have even lost their shape. We don’t know how they clean them. Even when the bottles they deliver look damaged, we still have to use them. And whenever we open the cap, small particles fall out first. It’s not something that gets in later at home, the debris is already inside when they deliver it. It’s really not clean,” she said.
Residents in Mawlamyine also said they have had to switch between different water companies because some factories fail to maintain hygiene standards.
According to industry guidelines, water factories must use new or properly sterilized plastic bottles that meet safety standards. They are also required to use filtration and purification systems that remove dirt, insects, bacteria, and chemical substances from the water.
However, consumers say many factories do not follow these regulations. They urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct strict inspections, as poor sanitation may pose health risks.
A doctor in Mawlamyine explained that unclean drinking water can cause diarrhea, bacterial infections, stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness. He added that chemicals from old plastic bottles can leak into the water and become dangerous.
“People drink purified water, but many do not check the labels on the bottles. Plastic bottles contain harmful chemicals that can dissolve into the water. You should check the triangle symbol at the bottom, if it says ‘1 PET or PETE,’ it’s meant for single use only. When oxygen enters the bottle, or when it is exposed to heat or sunlight, these chemicals can seep into the water. Reusing bottles many times also increases the risk,” he said.
Many households in urban areas rely entirely on delivered 20-liter purified water because their wells are located too close to toilets or other buildings, making the water unsuitable for drinking.
In previous years, a 20-liter bottle cost around 500 kyats. But due to higher production costs, the price has now increased to 1,500 kyats per bottle.
There are more than 60 licensed purified drinking water factories in Mon State, according to the Food and Drug Administration. However, some small-scale, privately run water producers continue operating without proper licenses.
