The Pailin Provincial Administration has outlined a strategy to expand the clean water supply system and enhance sanitation across the province. Currently, over 73 per cent of the province has access to clean water, with more than 88 per cent of sanitation work completed.

This plan was discussed during an October 25 meeting held to review the progress of the provincial working group responsible for rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene (PWG-RWSSH) for the third quarter of the year, according to the Ministry of Rural Development.

Ros Noeun, deputy provincial governor and chairman of PWG-RWSSH, said the meeting aimed to assess the achievements in rural clean water supply and sanitation.

“The meeting also centred on engaging stakeholders in addressing challenges and finding solutions to advance the construction of pour-flush toilets in households. Special attention was given to promoting the distribution of guidelines for assessing the status of villages, communes, districts and provinces concerning the achievement of ‘open defecation free (ODF),’ status,” he said.

He added that during this meeting, plans were discussed to construct toilets in Pailin town, four communes and 8,378 houses, 946 of which currently lack toilets.

He urged the town administration and the four commune chiefs to prepare and build 260 toilets by the end of December.

The deputy governor stated that, in pursuit of improved clean water and sanitation, the provincial administration will make efforts to expand the electricity and clean water network coverage. This expansion will be accompanied by the dissemination of guidelines for assessing the status of achieving “open defecation free (ODF)” in the town, communes and districts. He also requested the town, districts and communes to allocate local-level funds for clean water supply and rural sanitation enhancements.

Phon Sokun, a clean water operator and member of the Cambodian Clean Water Suppliers Association, expressed support for the provincial administration’s plans to expand the clean water network and enhance sanitation.

“To achieve this, we call on the ministry to provide guidance and establish provincial strategies for the comprehensive expansion of the water and sanitation network across the province. Additionally, the ministry should make efforts to attract investments for the construction and restoration of the irrigation system, ultimately safeguarding the livelihoods of people,” he said.

According to a recent report from the provincial administration, by the third quarter of this year, the entire province had achieved 88.9 per cent sanitation coverage, while the coverage rate for clean water supply stood at 73.7 per cent.