International Cooperation for Water Utility Regeneration in the Kingdom of Cambodia

In this section, we hear from Yamamoto Keiko, a former Senior Advisor of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Yayama Masashi, a former JICA expert, about their experiences with the international cooperation projects-aimed at revitalizing Cambodia's water utility system. This initiative was prompted by the severe deterioration caused by the civil war.

The prolonged civil war in Cambodia, which lasted until the early 1990s, left the water supply facilities destroyed and neglected, which led to severe deterioration. As a result, the water supply struggled to keep pace with the population growth, leading to an increase in the number of those without access to clean water. Furthermore, the aging water infrastructure had worsened to the extent that water quality no longer met the guideline values set by the World Health Organization (WHO). JICA provided support in creating a master plan for the development of the water supply infrastructure in the capital city, Phnom Penh, starting in 1993. Building upon this plan, from 1994 to 2006, JICA engaged in international cooperation aimed at facility development and human resource development in support of the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, responsible for the water supply services in Phnom Penh. Yamamoto, who was involved as a facility development and human resource development, reflects on that time.

"Safe water, produced at the renovated Phum Prek Water Treatment Plant as part of facility improvement efforts, was given priority for distribution to impoverished areas and central area within Phnom Penh. This initiative significantly improved water supply conditions for the underprivileged population. The rapid and remarkable enhancement of Phnom Penh's water supply services over a brief span of 10 years can be attributed, in part, to the great capabilities of the Cambodian workforce. It was indeed fortunate that individuals with a strong will to develop Phnom Penh, even in the post-civil war era, united in the water supply project, which was led by His Excellency Ek Sonn Chan who was the leader of PPWSA."

Development of the water supply project, later hailed as the "Miracle of Phnom Penh," expanded to cover the entire Cambodia and continues to receive ongoing support. It is noteworthy that Japan, along with JICA, has maintained a deep and ongoing involvement, with Kitakyushu City also playing a significant role. Yayama, a former JICA expert who worked at the Kitakyushu City Water and Sewage Bureau at the time, spoke about their ongoing efforts in Cambodia.

"Kitakyushu City began dispatching personnel to Cambodia's water supply project in 1999, emphasizing the importance of leak prevention technology and preventing water leakage. The non-revenue water rate, primarily indicating the percentage of uncollected fees due to water leakage, was as high as 72% at the outset of the support. However, by 2010, it had decreased significantly to just 6%," explains Yayama. "Subsequently, JICA and Kitakyushu City, through long-term technical cooperation, have built a strong relationship of trust with Cambodia and continue to be involved in many support projects from Japan. Efforts have now been expanded from urban areas to provincial cities. We implemented the Project for Strengthening Administrative Capacity of Urban Water Supply in Cambodia until March 2023, aiming to establish a framework where the central government can oversee and manage water utilities nationwide from the perspective of water supply administration."

Unlike Japan, where water supplies are administratively managed nationwide, Cambodia's provincial cities are characterized by a prevalence of privately-owned water supply operators. Under the above-referenced project, we are progressing towards the broad and stable supply of safe water by expanding the network of water supply. This is achieved through the establishment of a framework where the supervising agency oversees individual privately-owned water supply operators.

"The revitalization of Cambodia's water utility system is also featured as a success story for the United Nations' official website under the SDGs*. The significance of Japan's international contribution to solving global challenges is immensely important. We hope that the continued development of Japan's international cooperation in the Cambodian water supply project can greatly contribute to the deepening of friendship between the two countries," comments Yayama.

* One of the 17 goals established by the United Nations as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is "Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all," and the project is introduced as a successful example of this. https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships

<Reference> Examples of JICA's International Cooperation Projects Concerning Safe Water in Cambodia

<Reference websites>
https://www.jica.go.jp/oda/project/0100500/index.html
https://www.jica.go.jp/oda/project/0601334/index.html
https://www.jica.go.jp/oda/project/1700174/index.html