Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Cham Prasidh declared his commitment to developing partnerships that will expand the clean water supply sector in Siem Reap province.
Prasidh made the pledge while presiding over the inauguration of the new chair of the board of directors and director-general of the Siem Reap Water Supply Authority (SRWSA) last week.
“Thanks to its majestic temples, Siem Reap is the Kingdom’s premier tourist destination. In addition to its new international airport, the town has a lot of high-rise buildings, and a correspondingly high demand for fresh, clean water,” he said.
He added that to meet people’s clean water needs in Siem Reap town and the nearby districts, he has laid out measures that will attract new partners. This way, the SRWSA will be able to make large-scale investments in expanding existing systems.
“We have several strategies that will boost the sector in Siem Reap, in line with the government’s stated goals,” he said.
The industry ministry said the government has set a target of providing 100 per cent clean water supply and sanitation services throughout urban areas by 2025, and water equity nationwide by 2030.
It is now implementing a water supply project with grants from the French development agency AFD. The project has the capacity to produce 15,000 cubic metres of water a day from the West Baray reservoir to Siem Reap town.
The ministry has also implemented a project with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project involves the construction of a new water treatment plant in the town’s Chreav commune that will be capable of producing 60,000 cubic metres of water a day. The water will be taken from the Tonle Sap Lake, treated and then pumped to the airport.
