The Alternating Dual Pit (ADP) system allows waste to safely decompose in one pit while the other fills. Supplied
A groundbreaking initiative is transforming sanitation in flood-prone regions of Cambodia.
About 600 low-income households in areas surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake now have year-round access to affordable, flood-resistant toilets, thanks to iDE Cambodia's innovative Sky Latrines.
This solution is not only addressing public health challenges but also playing a crucial role in protecting the region’s vital water resources.
“The communities most impacted by seasonal flooding — in Siem Reap, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat and Kampong Thom provinces — can now invest in toilets that withstand the floods that disrupt their lives for up to six months each year,” according to iDE Cambodia.
This advancement in sanitation access reduces the prevalence of open defecation and prevents the contamination of water sources, which has long been a public health risk.
The Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, is home to over three million people.
Yet, for years, inadequate sanitation infrastructure and annual flooding have led many people to resort to open defecation, contaminating vital water supplies.
Since 2009, iDE Cambodia has delivered over 412,000 latrines, contributing to a dramatic increase in rural sanitation access, from just 23% in 2009 to nearly 90% in 2024. Supplied
In response, iDE Cambodia introduced the Sky Latrine — an elevated, flood-resistant toilet designed to function reliably, even during the wet season.
“Sky latrines not only help protect public health but also provide privacy, comfort and personal safety, especially for those with mobility challenges such as the elderly, disabled individuals and children,” said Tyler Kozole, director of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program at iDE Cambodia.
Supported by the Australian Government’s Water for Women Fund, the EU, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Vitol Foundation, iDE Cambodia is expanding its reach to climate-vulnerable communities.
The initiative empowers local entrepreneurs to produce and distribute the toilets, while trained door-to-door sales agents promote behaviour change in local communities.
Local authorities, known as “Sanitation Champions”, are also being trained to lead sustainable sanitation improvements.
To further enhance accessibility, iDE deploys a subsidy mechanism to make the toilets affordable for the most vulnerable households.
One resident of Kampong Kleang commune, Siem Reap, 65-year-old Chhou Em, shared how the Sky Latrine has improved her life.
“My grandchildren or anyone who stays home used to accompany me to the forest. Now, with the latrine, it’s much easier — I no longer need to ask for someone to accompany me or worry they will grow tired of me,” she said.
For years, inadequate sanitation infrastructure and annual flooding have led many people to resort to open defecation, contaminating vital water supplies. Supplied
Since 2009, iDE Cambodia has delivered over 412,000 latrines across the Kingdom, contributing to a dramatic increase in rural sanitation access, from just 23% in 2009 to nearly 90% in 2024.
Recently, iDE has focused on another critical challenge — faecal sludge management (FSM). In areas where latrine pits fill but no safe emptying services exist, many households dispose of waste unsafely, risking contamination.
To combat this, iDE has introduced two FSM solutions: the Alternating Dual Pit (ADP) system and an on-site latrine pit emptying service.
“The ADP system, which allows waste to safely decompose in one pit while the other fills, has been delivered to over 22,000 households,” explained the organisation.
Additionally, nearly 150 households in Siem Reap now benefit from iDE’s new on-site pit emptying service, which ensures safe waste management by adhering to strict guidelines.
“There is no water security without safe, climate-resilient sanitation,” said Kozole.
“By working with local entrepreneurs, communities, and authorities, we are helping Cambodia transition from basic sanitation to safely managed services, ultimately safeguarding the health of these communities,” he added.
