Cambodia Issued New Wastewater Law Outlining Strategic Plan for Wastewater System Development to Ensure Sustainability

• 11 December 2024
• Local News
• 725 Views

The Cambodian government has identified five priority areas to advance the planning and development of wastewater systems, a key initiative aimed at boosting public welfare and ensuring environmental sustainability. The announcement follows the enactment of the Law on Wastewater System on 22 November 2024, a comprehensive legal framework comprising 16 chapters and 113 articles.

The priority areas focus on addressing critical infrastructure needs in alignment with urban development, population growth, and environmental demands across Cambodia. The key targets include:

1. Water Pollution Control Areas: Addressing regions struggling with effective water pollution management.
2. Natural Water Quality Protection Zones: Safeguarding natural water quality and resources in environmentally sensitive areas.
3. New Development Zones: Supporting infrastructure planning for emerging cities, borey projects, commercial hubs, and new land plots.
4. Trade, Production, and Tourism Centres: Enhancing wastewater systems in economic zones to drive growth in commerce, industry, and tourism.
5. Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Upgrading wastewater infrastructure in industrial parks, innovation hubs, and agro-industrial zones to fuel economic expansion.

The master plan for wastewater system development outlines key components essential to ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability. These include:

• Coverage and Treatment Conditions: Defining specific areas for wastewater management and treatment standards.
• Policy and Strategy: Establishing policies, action plans, and frameworks for implementation.
• Project Expansion: Encouraging the scaling of wastewater projects while restructuring existing sewer systems.
• Infrastructure Design and Capacity: Modernising infrastructure to support growing wastewater treatment needs based on natural and urban conditions.
• Land Use and Development: Optimising land utilization to accommodate wastewater infrastructure efficiently.
• Human Resource Development: Investing in training, capacity building, and research for wastewater management professionals.

The plan also incorporates cost estimation and project demand analysis to ensure financial feasibility, profitability, and adaptability to future needs. In line with global best practices, the systems will undergo a mandatory re-evaluation every 10 years to maintain effectiveness.

Cambodia’s wastewater treatment infrastructure will comprise treatment plants, ancillary facilities, and sewer networks categorized into common sewerage systems and specialized networks, depending on their size and function.

This forward-looking initiative marks a pivotal step toward sustainable urban development and environmental protection, reinforcing Cambodia’s long-term commitment to improving public health, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and driving economic growth.

• Policy and Strategy
• Energy and Environment
• Road and Infrastructure