In the Preah Vihear province of Cambodia, access to safe drinking water was once a significant challenge. The community of 801 people, 406 of those, women, relied on boiled water, wells, and outside sellers for drinking water. None of these water sources guaranteed safety. This all changed in June 2023 with the launch of the “Community Drinking Water Station.”
What is the Community Water Station?
This Community Water Station project is a collaboration between the Provincial Department of Rural Development, local authorities, and community members. It has brought clean water and new work opportunities to the village. The station is managed by a team of eight, including seven women. It now distributes 70 gallons of 20L containers and 210 dozen 0.5L bottles daily to Khnor and neighbouring communes. The project involves sourcing the water, bottling it and then distributing it to the local and neighbouring communities.
The water station not only provides safe drinking water but also generates income for the operation team. Pheakdey, a team member, noted, “The establishment of this drinking water station helped my community access safe drinking water and income for operation team members. The communities like the water from this station very much because they know the water source well and can see the production process [is hygienic]” The project’s success has led to widespread support from the community, with locals appreciating the quality and safety of the water.
Prum Oun, another member of the team, expressed his satisfaction with the increased demand for drinking water from the station. He said,
“I am very happy because I have a daily job and an income to support my family, and we have safe drinking water to supply to our community people here”.
This project, part of a broader initiative to build resilient rural communities, demonstrates the transformative power of community-led initiatives. By addressing the fundamental need for clean water, the “Building Resilient and Inclusive Rural Communities through Housing, WASH and Climate Change action in Cambodia” project has improved health outcomes, created jobs, deepened the communities understanding of WASH and fostered economic stability in Khnor village.
Learn more about our what we do overseas, including our other WASH projects and our work in Cambodia, here.
The “Building Resilient and Inclusive Rural Communities through Housing, WASH and Climate Change action in Cambodia” project receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and is in partnership with our implementing partner Habitat for Humanity Cambodia and the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) Cambodia organisation.
