The Water Supply and Sanitation Acceleration (WASAC) Project was officially launched on September 26, 2024, with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) and Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) as implementing agencies.

This project aims to expand Cambodia’s water supply and sanitation services in response to growing demand and to help achieve the nation’s Sustainable Development Goal for Water and Sanitation by 2030.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Hem Vanndy outlined MISTI's strategic approach to improving water supply. Key initatives include updating water and sanitation policies, formulating strategic plans and provincial water supply master plans, enhancing the capabilities of water operators, especially water supply authorities, enforcing laws and regulations, and exploring institutional and financial mechanisms to accelerate the sector growth.

“Our goal is to strengthen all public utilities within the next three to four years, enabling them to provide all forms of water supply interventions across the country,” Minister Vanndy said. “These initiatives aim to meet the growing water supply demands of industries, businesses, and markets, while supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic progress as we advance toward becoming an upper-middle-income country driven by high value-added industries.”

The five-year project is projected to cost approximately USD 184.9 million, comprising USD 163 million concessional loan from the World Bank, USD 4.3 million in government financing, and USD 17.6 million in private sector investment.

The first component of the WASAC project will focus on the construction of new water supply systems for public utilities in Krong Sen Monorom, Krong Pursat, Krong Battambang, and Phnom Preuk district of Battambang province, ensuring clean water access in these areas. Additionally, private water operators in Pursat and Battambang provinces will receive both technical and financial support as part of the project.

Minister Vanndy added that MISTI is collaborating with the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, development partners, and water operators to tackle the depletion of water resource challenges caused by climate change, and with the MPWT to minimize the impact of infrastructure projects on existing water supply networks.