Preah Sihanouk province: Deputy governor សួស សេរីសួស្តី said a workshop explaining the Law on Clean Water Management was important for improving understanding among local authorities, specialist departments and water supply operators, enabling effective enforcement and ensuring that residents receive safe, good-quality water.
He said the province currently had 17 water source locations and 15 wells, with reported storage capacity of more than 95 million cubic metres. It had 14 water supply companies across six municipalities and districts, of which 11 were operating, and 18 water treatment plants with a production capacity of 241,120 cubic metres per day.
He added that nearly 42,000 households were using clean water services, approximately 71% of all households in the province. However, two communes still had no service, while applications for water supply licences were being processed.
អ៊ុំ សុថា, secretary of state at the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, said this was the 13th workshop explaining the Law on Clean Water Management and Preah Sihanouk was the 17th target province for implementation in 2026. It aimed to explain the law and new Sub-Decree No. 069 on water supply business licensing and gather feedback to strengthen enforcement.
He said the Law on Clean Water Management, which entered into force in 2023, was Cambodia’s first legal framework for strengthening governance, management and development of the clean water sector with transparency, efficiency and sustainability.
By the end of 2025, Cambodia had more than 40,000 kilometres of water supply networks and over 1.57 million connections, covering about 45% of households in service areas. Total clean water production was approximately 556 million cubic metres. This reflected the important role of public–private partnerships in developing the sector.
To meet growing demand, the ministry would accelerate investment in network expansion in high-demand areas, strengthen private participation, establish a clean water sector development fund and advance Sustainable Development Goal 6 for 2030.
The secretary of state added that developing the sector aligned with government policy to turn Preah Sihanouk into a model special economic zone and a sustainable green city. It also aligned with the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy, which identifies water as a priority for economic growth, jobs, equity and access to safe, good-quality, sustainable and affordable water.
Article: Pai Sokhim
Photos: Keo Dara
