The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) marked the inauguration of Phase 2 of the Bakheng Water Treatment Plant, and the groundbreaking of Phase 3, on June 25. This means it now has sufficient production to meet the current demands of the capital, bringing an end to water shortages.

The new facility brings the authority’s total production capacity to 982,000 cubic metres per day. In January, Long Naro, director-general of the PPWSA, stated that current demand in the capital was approximately 820,000 cubic metres per day, a figure provided by the Ministry of Information.

The event was presided over by Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth.

“Phase 2 of the plant, which began operations in October 2023 after 26 months of construction, adds an impressive 195,000 cubic metres to PPWSA's daily production capacity. This is sufficient to meet the needs of the more than two million residents of Phnom Penh and Takhmao city,” he said.

“The commissioning of phase two of this facility brings a complete end to the water shortage problems which occurred in the past in some parts of Phnom Penh and Kandal province’s Takhmao,” he added.

The completion of phase two was a landmark in Cambodia’s largest clean water infrastructure project, and was made possible with an investment of $148.2 million, primarily financed through a $114.5 million loan from the French Development Agency (AFD).

Also in attendance was industry minister Hem Vanndy (left), seen here alongside finance minister Aun Pornmoniroth. Supplied

The groundbreaking ceremony of Phase 3, which will add an additional 195,000 cubic metres of production capacity to the plant, occurred alongside the inauguration.

Pornmoniroth said next phase is estimated to cost $257 million, and will be funded by a mix of loans and grants, including a substantial $210 million loan from AFD and a $12 million grant from the EU. Construction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2027. 

Phase three is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the projected water demand of 1.8 million cubic meters per day by 2030, as outlined in the updated third master plan (2021-2030).

The three phases of the Bakheng Water Treatment Plant represent a combined investment of $660 million.

Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, also addressed the ceremony.

He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to enhance the management and development of the potable water sector. 

Attendees examine the state-of-the-art water treatment facility. Supplied

“The government is continuing to play a strategic role in strengthening the management and development of the potable water sector – with the participation of private water operators – to meet the daily demand for households and support priority areas. These include industrial zones, SME clusters, special economic zones, and economic poles, providing employment opportunities and driving economic growth,” he said.

Statistics from the industry ministry show a 32 per cent increase in the nationwide water supply from 2018 to 2023, with the PPWSA producing approximately 279 million cubic metres of clean water in the last year alone, about 60 per cent of the national total.