Quick facts about water:

Between 1998 and 2004, the number of Phnom Penh city households with access to piped water increased 9-fold. Now, nearly 100% of Phnom Penh residents have access to clean, piped water, 24 hours a day.

According to the World Bank, 34% of people in Cambodia have access to an improved water source. Just 16% have improved sanitation access.

Ten percent of all liquid sewage in Phnom Penh flows directly into the Mekong River. The remaining 90% flows into the wetland areas surround the city. 

Data source: Economy and Environment Program for SE Asia, 2004; World Bank, 2004.


Problems with water and sewage:

Currently, Phnom Penh has an inadequate sewage system and no wastewater treatment plant. Most of the untreated liquid waste from the city is diverted to wetland areas outside of the city, where it is diluted by floodwaters. The nutrient-rich water is used to grow morning glory and other vegetables and flowers. Up to 20% of the vegetables sold in Phnom Penh are grown in these conditions. Though the crops are prosperous, it can also create hazardous conditions for some families in the region. Because much of the municipal and industrial waste is absorbed into the land, it increases the amount of contaminants and heavy metals, which can also enter the food supply. Improperly washed vegetables can also pose health risks.

The sewage system has many issues yet to address, but the situation for access to water has greatly improved over the past decade. The Asian Development Bank commends the water authority of Phnom Penh for rebuilding a municipal system that had been virtually destroyed by years of war and neglect. Nearly all residents have reliable access to piped water, and they are seeking to expand to areas outside of the city. Sihanoukville has a similarly successful water system. Many people living in rural areas use well water, though many communities in the Mekong River delta region are at a higher risk for arsenic poisoning and health risks from other contaminants if the wells are not suited for the environment.

International agencies digging new wells in Cambodia or selling water treatment products to communities must commit to testing these wells and products in order to ensure health safety.  Untested wells, which are now causing arsenic poisoning and other deadly diseases, are the legacy of unchecked development and acting on good "intentions" without proper follow-up or research.  We hope to improve our own practices and continue to encourage those around us, to think not only of the immediate needs for development in water safety and all areas, but also the on-going and lasting effects of our efforts. 

What can be done about this?

The water authorities of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville have given improved water access to nearly all residents, particularly the urban poor communities. This standard of water access can hopefully be replicated in smaller cities around the country, and be an example for other developing cities around Asia.

What is PEPY doing about this?

We partner with Resource Development International- Cambodia (RDIC) and the Cambodian Rural Development Team for various projects in sustainable development. Several tour groups have helped to construct rainwater collection units at rural schools, and also worked at the RDIC factory to construct water filters.

Currently, RDIC is implementing a province-by-province water mapping project in Cambodia.  This means that they are testing nearly every well and drinking water source they can find within each commune, thousands of data points, and mapping those out for public use on their site.  Development agencies can now look to this data to determine what possible water solutions should be implemented in each area, hopefully saving future communities from the ill effects of mismanaged water treatment plans. RDIC staff conduct multimedia presentations in rural villages to educate about water contaminants, nutrition, health initiatives, sanitation, and other issues.

www.rdic.org
www.crdt.org.kh 

What can you do?

If you give money to places building wells or cleaning water sources, check first to make sure that the are testing ALL of their water before installing wells!  This should be a requirement for development agencies, but unfortunately there is no governing body setting standards to ensure human rights are protected when it comes to NGOs!

While traveling in Cambodia, wash your fruits and vegetables well, and with potassium permanganate solution if they are from a higher-risk area. Learn about water conditions and hazards in your area.