Cambodia's Rural Water Management Model in Sangvey Commune Becomes National Example with JICA Support

Rural water management in Sangvey Commune, Chikreng District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, is emerging as a successful model for nationwide expansion. On September 8, 2026, a workshop titled "Sharing Best Practices in Community Water Management" was organized by the Siem Reap Provincial Administration, the WA-Links Association, and the JICA Cambodia office. This workshop, part of the Project for Improving Rural Water Supply in Cambodia, focused on showcasing the results of enhanced independent water operator management capacity in Sangvey Commune and expanding this successful model to other communities. Mr. Yamada Masao, President of the WA-Links Association, stated that the association's mission is to support the smooth operation of community water supply systems in Cambodia, especially in small villages. He emphasized that support in Sangvey Commune has focused on strengthening the capacity of community water operators to manage and maintain clean water systems efficiently and sustainably. Ms. Uehara Fuka, Project Officer at JICA Cambodia, informed that the Project for Improving Rural Water Supply in Sangvey Commune has been implemented for five years since 2021, with a primary focus on building management mechanisms and human resource training to enable communities to manage and maintain water systems independently. She added that the project's objective is to make Sangvey Commune a model for rural clean water management and to replicate this model in other areas within Siem Reap Province and across the country. JICA will continue to cooperate with the Ministry of Rural Development and relevant institutions to support expanded access to safe and sustainable clean water for rural Cambodian citizens. Mr. Ing Kimleang, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Province, stated that the provincial administration is promoting the strengthening of capacity and expansion of clean water supply to citizens through three key institutions: the Provincial Department of Rural Development, the Department of Industry, and the Siem Reap Autonomous Water Supply Authority. He highlighted that the water sector is one of the government's five priority sectors, integrated into the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that all citizens have access to clean water by 2030, providing quality, safe, sustainable, and affordable water supply in line with Cambodia's Sustainable Development Goals 2016-2030. Source: AKP Khmer