Cambodia Achieves Nearly 90 Percent Basic Water Access as Government Charts Next Phase for Rural Health

• 17 February 2026
• Local News
• 246 Views

As of 2025, Cambodia has reached a significant milestone in public infrastructure, with basic water supply coverage now extending to 89 percent of the population. This achievement was highlighted during a high-level workshop on February 11, 2026, where officials met to finalize and disseminate the National Strategic Plan and Action Plan for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation for the 2026 to 2033 period. The session was presided over by His Excellency Chhay Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development, who noted that while basic access is high, the focus must now shift toward higher quality standards, as safely managed water services currently stand at 25 percent.

The ministry is placing a renewed emphasis on the link between infrastructure and public health. Beyond water access, the new eight-year strategy aims to significantly improve rural sanitation levels, which have also seen steady progress. By aligning these efforts with the government’s long-term development goals, the Ministry of Rural Development intends to ensure that every community, regardless of location, has access to reliable and safe environmental services.

This strategic roadmap for 2026 to 2033 serves as a blueprint for modernizing rural living conditions. By integrating technical innovation with community-based management, the government seeks to bridge the gap between basic and safely managed services. As the Kingdom moves toward its 2030 and 2050 visions, these foundational improvements in water and sanitation will remain a cornerstone of national resilience and human capital development. (read more)

• rural development
• Water supply
• ODF
• clean water