State-of-the-Art Water Treatment Plants Valued at $140 Million Unveiled in Siem Reap and Kampong Thom

• Sommana Yan
• 25 May 2023
• Local News
• 2688 Views

Marking a significant milestone in Cambodia’s pursuit of sustainable development, the inauguration ceremony of the highly anticipated water treatment plants in Sangkat Chreav, Siem Reap province, and Stung Sen II city, Kampong Thom province, took place amidst great enthusiasm.

The distinguished event, graced by the presence of esteemed guests including Samdech Pich Sena Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, HE Ou Anuatsushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and HE Dr. Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, was held on 22nd May 2023.

HE Cham Prasidh emphasized the long-standing partnership between Cambodia and Japan, stating that in 1996, the Government of Japan extended a generous grant of $15 million towards the construction of a water treatment plant in Siem Reap, capable of processing 8,000 cubic meters of water per day and covering a distribution network spanning 32 kilometers.

Acknowledging the growing demand for clean water in Siem Reap, the Siem Reap Water Supply Authority sought further financial assistance from Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Subsequently, loans amounting to 7.161 billion yen, equivalent to over $51 million, were granted to expand the capacity of the Siem Reap water supply system.

With an approximate total budget of $115 million, the state-of-the-art Siem Reap water treatment plant boasts a capacity of 60,000 cubic meters per day, drawing water from the Tonle Sap Lake. An extensive 247-kilometer distribution network has been meticulously constructed to ensure efficient water supply throughout the province. (Read more)

Simultaneously, the water treatment plant in Stung Sen II, Kampong Thom province, was established with a substantial grant from the Japanese government, amounting to $28.5 million. Equipped with a capacity to process 7,500 cubic meters of water per day, the plant is complemented by a comprehensive 152-kilometer water network system. (Read more)

The Cambodian government has set a visionary policy for the water sector, aiming to achieve a remarkable expansion of water supply coverage in urban areas, reaching 90% by 2023 and striving for universal coverage by 2025. Encouragingly, significant progress has already been made, with an impressive increase in nationwide water supply.

In 2022 alone, access to clean water expanded to reach approximately 2.02 million households, marking a substantial 53.8% surge compared to 2018 figures. The volume of clean water supplied witnessed a commendable rise to nearly 400 million cubic meters, signifying a substantial increase from the 2018 quantity of approximately 309 million cubic meters.

The successful completion and inauguration of these modern water treatment plants exemplify the unwavering commitment of Cambodia and Japan towards sustainable infrastructure development, while simultaneously enhancing the quality of life for citizens. These crucial initiatives serve as powerful symbols of progress, reinforcing Cambodia’s standing as a nation poised for enduring growth and prosperity.

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• Road and Infrastructure