Phnom Penh Builds New Drainage Pump Station to Combat Flooding

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – To combat the perennial flooding that plagues the capital during the rainy season, the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration is enhancing its drainage infrastructure. A key component of this effort is the construction of a new, large-scale drainage pump station at Kilometer 9 in the Svay Pak commune of Russey Keo district. Spearheaded by Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng, the new Kilometer 9 pump station is designed to discharge a substantial volume of water, boasting a capacity of 8.34 cubic meters per second. The project is reportedly 90% complete and is slated to have its main pipelines connected before the Pchum Ben festival, allowing for immediate water discharge into the river. Full completion of the construction is expected by November 2026. The pump station is equipped with four powerful motors: two with a 1-meter diameter, each capable of pumping 9,000 cubic meters per hour, and two with a 0.8-meter diameter, each pumping 6,000 cubic meters per hour. Collectively, these units will achieve the impressive total pumping capacity of 30,000 cubic meters per hour, or 8.34 cubic meters per second. According to Kun Sophea, Chief of the Department of Public Works and Transport in Russey Keo district, the Kilometer 9 pump station will serve to drain water from the Bak Tuok and Oar Veng canals. Crucially, its operational scope extends beyond Russey Keo, as it will also manage drainage from the Daun Penh and Tuol Kork districts. Complementing the pump station's construction, the municipality has also undertaken extensive dredging work on the Bak Tuok and Oar Veng canals within Russey Keo district. This dredging operation, conducted from March 9 to July 12, 2026, cleared a total of 7,000 meters of canals – 3,520 meters of Bak Tuok canal and 3,480 meters of Oar Veng canal. This initiative aims to improve water flow towards the pump station and enhance overall drainage efficiency. Chin Bunthoeun, Governor of Russey Keo district, highlighted that the dredging of these canals, along with the new pump station, will significantly alleviate flood risks for residents. He expressed his deep gratitude to Governor Khuong Sreng for initiating these vital projects. In conjunction, residents living along the canals have been urged to assist in maintaining the cleared waterways and to dispose of their waste properly to ensure environmental hygiene and prevent blockages. Information Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer