Launch of $30M Japanese Funded Water Plant Expands Clean Access in Cambodia’s Svay Rieng

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 26, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has launched a Japanese funded water treatment plant worth more than $30 million in Svay Rieng province, a project officials say will sharply improve clean water access and public health.

Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet presided over the inauguration of the Andong Tasey facility on Mar.26, which has a daily production capacity of 6,800 cubic meters and is supported by a 110 kilometer distribution network. The plant will supply clean water to around 7,000 households in Svay Rieng city, raising coverage from 32 percent to 58 percent.

Samdech Thipadei said the project would reduce waterborne diseases and strengthen environmental protection, calling it a milestone in Cambodia’s partnership with Japan. The initiative reflects broader cooperation in infrastructure development aimed at improving living standards and supporting sustainable growth.

In parallel, the government has launched a $60 million national program to expand water infrastructure in five provinces — Svay Rieng, Pursat, Kampong Thom, Kampot and Mondulkiri. The scheme will boost production capacity, extend distribution networks and connect nearly 30,000 households, narrowing the gap between urban and rural access.

The expanding clean water is a key pillar of Cambodia’s socio economic strategy, underpinning public health, productivity and long term development.