Mandalay cement producers face the possibility of being penalised if they fail to draft and implement environmental management plans (EMP) within a year.

The Myanmar Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation issued notices to industrial factories across nine industries, including cement in Mandalay plants, requiring them to draft EMPs and submit them to the ministry for approval.

The regulations will apply to limestone businesses with at least 20tpd of production which the ministry understands will affect 50 cement and limestone businesses in the region.

"We used to check cement mills every three months," said Thant Zin Tun, assistant director of the Mandalay Region Environmental Conservation Department. "But starting in November, we checked them every month. As a result, their (water disposal) has entered into the accepted range. In my opinion, when there are regulators, the cases of exceeding the limit decrease."

Mandalay's Chief Minister, Zaw Mint Maung, said most of the wastewater from factories in the vicinity is dumped into the Dotehtawady River, which has become polluted.