The East Meets West Foundation (EMW) began working in Cambodia in early 2009 and has successfully completed one clean water project in Cambodia and over 120 community systems in Vietnam.

EMW has selected Andoung Snay and Andoung Chrey villages (Andoung Snay Commune, Rolea B’ier District) in Kampong Chhnang Province for its second Clean Water and Sanitation Project in Cambodia. Located 91 kilometers east of Phnom Penh, with a population of 472,341 people (census 2008), Kampong Chhnang is one of the poorest provinces.

The majority (80%) of people living in Andoung Snay and Andoung Chrey villages are farmers. The villagers are only able to farm rice during the rainy season as there is no water in the dry season. The average income per capita is around 3,000 to 4,000 Riels ($0.75 to 1.00 per day).

Based on a village assessment in May 2011, 80% of the community’s residents use toilets and the other 20% defecate openly. Thus, although many families understand basic sanitation principles, an awareness campaign about healthy water and sanitation behavior would further improve the situation. Currently, many households have less than ten meters between their well and their toilet, leading to contamination of their water supply and resulting in waterborne illnesses. In addition, wastewater currently runs through a small open canal that is polluting local water sources.

While there are two public pump wells in the village, only one is operational, supplying a very limited amount of non-potable water to consumers. Most families are forced to turn to the private sector for water, buying it either from a private piped water supplier or from local water collectors—small-time entrepreneurs who collect and sell water door to door. This water is typically expensive -- about $2.50/m3 --and is untreated, so it still must be boiled for use in drinking and cooking.

The most sustainable solution is to install a small water treatment system that will connect all 346 households and be maintained by the community through the creation of a Water Management Committee (WMC).

A bore well will be dug and the water will pass through the rapid sand filtration facility by gravity flow. The filtered water will flow under the drain on the perforated pipes connecting the well water as intake; finally an elevated tower will be constructed near the water treatment system and linked to the distribution system that connects to the households.

The water treatment process layout:

1. Bore well
2. Water well intake
3. Upflow tank
4. Rapid sand filter
5. Storage tank
6. Pump station
7. Elevator water tower (Air compressor pump)
8. Production Meter
9. Distribution pipe system
10. Connected volume metric meter to households

The community will contribute the labor for laying the pipes to the houses and will use a tariff system for water usage. The water will be sold to the community at $0.50/m3, a very reasonable price that will allow the community sustained access to clean water. This price has been agreed upon by the Village Development Committee (VDC) and Commune leaders.

This project will be implemented in compliance with the by-laws developed by the WMC and EMW, which delineate the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved. A participatory approach will be used during the implementation process to ensure all stakeholders’ involvement (PDRD, CC, District and community) at all project levels located in the commune.

The WMC will work under the direction of EMW’s program manager and the Provincial Rural Development (PDRD) technical officer to coordinate and manage the project. The WMC will be publicly elected and include people from both villages. The WMC will receive training and support in the financial and operational management and maintenance of the village water system and will work within the jointly created by-laws of the project.

The project will be divided into 3 phases.

Phase 1 – Initial system set-up and connection of 100 HHs (28.9% of total)
Phase 2 – Connection of another 100 HHs (28.9% of total)
Phase 3 – Connection of final 146 HHs (42.2% of total)

In order to ensure the sustainability of the system a WMC will be established. The WMC will consist of the following three members:
1. Chairman, in charge of water management plan;
2. Vice Chairman, in charge of finance; and
3. Secretary, in charge of general administration.

The WMC will be elected by and from among the project beneficiaries. Each village will also have a leader and a secretary to represent the specific needs of the village. The program staff will assist in establishing WMC by-laws that delineate the roles and responsibilities of all parties. The WMC and village representatives will work closely with EMW.

The water system will be fully handed over to the WMC after year one of operation.The water system will be fully handed over to the WMC one year after phase 3 is completed (July-2013)

This project is not directly connected to a government program but its goals are officially supported by all levels of the government, including the Commune Council (CC) and the Provincial Department of Rural Development (PDRD). EMW will work to build relationships with the CC and PDRD in order to receive support and assistance prior to and throughout the project. EMW will also conduct program orientation for the CC, the community and all relevant stakeholders to inform them of EMW’s current and future work in the country and region.

To enhance the benefits of the water systems and ensure sustainability, EMW provides training for the local WMC in operations and maintenance, financial management and community environmental hygiene and sanitation. Partnerships are formed with local authorities and international agencies to share experiences about design, management, operations, maintenance and financing to constantly improve the quality and efficiency of the program.