Mingalar Taung Nyunt Water Main in Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon’s water distribution pipe network, much of which dates back to 1842, has long faced significant challenges. At the time of the project, drinking water coverage was only approximately 37%, and many sections of the pipeline system were still composed of pipes constructed during the British colonial era. The deteriorated condition of the pipe network was further reflected in the exceptionally high rate of non-revenue water, estimated at around 66%. As a result, addressing the aging water infrastructure became an urgent priority.

To mitigate pipe deterioration and water leakage caused by internal corrosion, Yangon City initiated a pilot test of the corrosion prevention device Pipetector on a water main in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township. The effectiveness of the device was evaluated by comparing the proportion of black rust (magnetite), a stable and benign form of rust, before and after installation.

Prior to installation, black rust accounted for 22.5% of the total rust composition. Five months after installation, this figure had increased to 48.5%, representing an absolute increase of 26 percentage points. These results demonstrate that Pipetector successfully initiated the conversion of internal red rust into black rust.

Once the existing red rust has been fully converted to black rust, pipe replacement due to internal corrosion is no longer required, provided that external corroison does not occur. The test results therefore indicate that Pipetector can play a sifinifcant role in extending the service life of aging water infrastructure while reducing maintenance and replacement requirements.