About 50 000 families will see their lives change thanks to the new Bakheng water treatment plant, backed by the European Union and its bank the EIB.
This financing will enable the construction of the Bakheng Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in the northern outskirts of Phnom Penh with its intake located on the west bank of the Mekong River. It will help increase the water production capacity and extend the distribution network of the city. Around 71 billion litres of clean water will be delivered every year in and around the capital of Cambodia, home to 10% of the country’s population and hosting the majority of industrial activities.
Andrew McDowell, EIB Vice-President in charge of EIB operations in Cambodia, said: “By providing clean drinking water to the population of Phnom Penh, this project will help reduce inequalities and make a real difference to people’s health and education. This is especially true for those living in the poorest areas of the city, particularly the women and young girls who are traditionally the water carriers, who have had no access to a safe and reliable water supply. This project will also help communities adapt to climate change by protecting the ground water. I am very pleased to join forces on this project with the European Commission, AfD and our Cambodian partners; this shows the real added value of cooperation.”
Overall, the project will provide clean water to 2.5 million people living in the countryside and cities.
Original source: EIB
Published on 17 June 2019
