Phnom Penh, December 16, 2024 – The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) celebrated another achievement with the official inauguration of the Boeung Thum Water Treatment Plant, which has a production capacity of 6,000 cubic meters per day. Located in Phnom Penh’s Kambol District, the plant will provide clean water to 10 villages across Sangkat Boeung Thom, Sangkat Prat Lang, and Sangkat Kambol, benefiting approximately 3,000 families in Phnom Penh's outskirts.

The ceremony was presided over by H.E. HEM Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), alongside H.E. AMAKAWA Hirofumi, Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan. The project was made possible through Japanese government’s funding and PPWSA’s counterpart fund.

H.E. HEM Vanndy highlighted the project's importance, emphasizing its role in the implementation of the Royal Government's Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1, where water is the 3rd key priority. “Water supply from this new plant not only meets the daily consumption of the residents, but also contributes to physical infrastructure that supports the rapidly growing industrial, service, and business sectors in the area,” he said.

The Minister further underscored Cambodia’s strong partnership with Japan in the water supply sector, noting that 31 collaborative projects have been implemented to date. These include capacity building, infrastructure construction, and other investments aimed at enhancing access to clean water nationwide.

The Boeung Thum Water Treatment Plant marks PPWSA’s second independently studied and constructed project, following the M’lech Water Treatment Plant in Kampot province. The new facility delivers clean water that meets both Cambodia’s National Drinking Water Quality Standards and WHO’s Clean Water Standards, demonstrating the government’s commitment to achieving Cambodia’s Sustainable Development Goals No. 6 on clean water and sanitation.

Minister HEM Vanndy called on stakeholders, including ministries-institutions, local authorities, and residents to work together to protect and maintain water supply infrastructure, expand water distribution network, and safeguard the Prek Thnaot River as a sustainable water source. He emphasized that these collaborative efforts are vital to ensuring quality and sustainability of water supply, improving public health, and supporting Cambodia’s sustainable and inclusive development.

The 3rd Update of the Phnom Penh Water Supply Master Plan (2021-2030) forecasts that demand for clean water will reach 1.8 million cubic meters per day by 2030. With the Boeung Thum Water Treatment Plant now operational, PPWSA’s production capacity increases from 982,000 to 988,000 cubic meters per day, supported by a growing water distribution network spanning 4,870 kilometers.