Cambodia must brace for potential droughts linked to El Nino by taking preventive measures and modernising infrastructure, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Hem Vanndy warned.
At the closing ceremony of the 19th Cambodia-Japan Water and Sewer Seminar in Phnom Penh yesterday, Vanndy called on both public utilities and private operators to safeguard water sources and secure reliable supplies ahead of the dry season.
“Water operators must take necessary precautions and prepare measures to minimise the impacts of El Nino, particularly by managing and protecting water sources to ensure the continuity of water supply services,” he said.
Vanndy highlighted the importance of modern technologies in improving water supply management, including digital pipeline mapping using Geographic Information Systems, district metered areas, flowmeters to reduce non-revenue water, and automated water quality monitoring systems.
He stressed the need for closer coordination with the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology to safeguard water sources and ensure reliable supplies.
Coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is also essential to expand wastewater treatment capacity and prevent pollution of water sources, he added.
Masahiro Yasuda, director of the International Affairs Office for Water Supply and Sewerage at Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, echoed the importance of applying technology effectively in real-world operations.
“Technology demonstrates its value when it is applied in the field, properly operated and maintained, and produces tangible results,” Yasuda said.
He encouraged Cambodian and Japanese partners to move beyond introducing new technologies towards conducting field trials, evaluating performance and expanding the adoption of solutions suited to Cambodia’s local conditions.
The seminar was jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the City of Kitakyushu’s water and sewerage authorities, the Kitakyushu Overseas Water Business Association and the Cambodian Water Supply Association, with support from the Embassy of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The event brought together government officials, public water utilities, private operators and technical experts from Cambodia and Japan to exchange practical solutions for improving water supply and wastewater management.
Discussions covered leakage reduction, water quality monitoring, infrastructure maintenance and the application of Japanese technologies to Cambodia’s water sector, with the aim of strengthening operational efficiency and improving the reliability and sustainability of water services.
