Cambodia
The Project for Expansion of Water Supply Systems in Kampong Cham and Battambang
Ever since its foundation, we have kept a strong desire not only to improve waterworks in Japan but to contribute to other countries with lagged and dysfunctional water systems. In 1958, we signed a contract for Phnom Penh Waterworks in Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia (hereinafter referred to as "Cambodia"). This was the first overseas water supply construction project by a Japanese company since the end of World War II. Following it, we have been engaged in international projects for more than 60 years.
The civil war after the project through early 1990 deteriorated the water supply ratio to as low as 40%. In its restoration work, we have participated in pipeline improvement since 1994 and expansion of Phum Prek Water Treatment Plant in 2001. As a result of these efforts, since May 2004, people have been enjoying drinkable tap water. In addition, water is available 24 hours a day now, compared with 10 hours in 2008.
However, the coverage of water supply system in rural cities was much behind that of the capital area. To tackle this issue, the Government of Cambodia announced a target of achieving nationwide coverage of 80% by expansion and improvement of the water supply system in the country.
In the "The Project for Expansion of Water Supply Systems in Kampong Cham and Battambang" that our company was contracted to perform in 2015, our scope was to build water intake and treatment plants in the southeastern city of Kampong Cham and the western city of Battambang, and to lay conduits and water distribution pipes.
Despite the very short construction period and the occurrence of interruptions due to unexpected geological conditions and flooding caused by the rainy season, the project was successfully completed in July 2016. This has made it possible to supply safe water to more than 37,100 people in the city of Kampong Cham and to more than 81,300 people in the city of Battambang
In this project, it was difficult to secure workers because it was a rural location not like the capital area such as Phnom Penh City. It ended up that about 90% of the rebar workers at the water treatment plant were women. However, the necessary skills were quickly achieved and the construction was carried out so carefully that the finished result even surprised discerning JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) staff who had been involved in many projects.
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