The Water for Women programme is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), a Women-Led Output Based Aid (WOBA) programme is being deployed by East Meets West (EMW).

Cambodian Water Supply Association (CWA) was selected by EMW to provide the capacity building to 20 Women-Led Water Operators through the WOBA programme in the nine provinces (Prey Veng, Takeo, Kampot, Kratie, Pursat, Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, and Tboung Khmum).

The main objective of this project: is to focus on training twenty (20) women-led water business to improving their knowledge and necessary skills for a better managing their water business. So that they able to focus on improving their operation and increasing more customers in order to increasing their business.

As a result, the 20 Women-lead (27 participants) attended in the training. In addition, the CWA organized two water tours. The first water tour was held at Tbeng Kpos Water Supply with a total of 22 participants and the second study tour was held at Leng Kheav Prek Ambel Water Supply with a total of 18 participants.

Besides, EMW has commissioned CWA to conduct a study to better understand and support the context for water supply related subsidies in Cambodia, and under the WOBA programme​with six water operators in three provinces (Prey Veng, Takeo, and Kampot).

The overall objective of the study is to identify the barriers and drivers that determine whether a household establishes a connection to an existing piped water supply. As a result, the survey interviewed the six PWOs, and 300 households (150 connected-households).

Success Story:​  Din Kim

Din Kim is head of an ID Poor 2 household with 6 family members. The family lives in Peareach village, Sethey commune, Samaky Meanchey district, Kampong Chhnang province. She is also a widow – GESI household.

Under WOBA water supply project, Din Kim has been connected to Tbeng Khpuos piped water supply. She contributed USD10.00 from the family saving.

Now, every family member has very easy access to the piped water supply – there is no need to buy water from the vendor.

Before, Din Kim used rainwater during rainy season and bought water from a local vendor in the dry season. The bought water was used only for cooking and drinking. For washing and bathing, she went from house to house to ask for the water from the neighbour’s hand dug wells.

The bought water was very expensive. A Koyun truck of about 1,5000 liter cost 10,000 Riel (USD2.50) with already discount for a poor household like her. The actual cost was 15,000 Riel (USD3.75). The vendor did not deliver the water regularly. So, sometimes Din Kim did not have water for a few days.

Then, the piped water supply was connected to her village, although Din Kim could not afford to connect to the piped water supply. So, she bought 1,000 liter of the water from her neighbour with the cost of 5,000 Riel (USD1.25).

With the EMW WOBA water supply connection subsidy through CWA and Tbeng Khpuos piped water supply, Din Kim has been connected to the piped water supply with the contribution of 40,000 Riel (USD10.00).

Now, Din Kim has very easy access to the piped water supply. She pays only 2,500 Riel (USD0.625) per 1,000 liter of the water.

Din Kim was gratefull to EMW and CWA and siad, “Without EMW and CWA without piped water supply for my household, buying water from the vendor is now not possible as they stop doing this business.”

Success Story: Phoem Vech

Phoem Vech is head of an ID Poor 2 plus GESI household (three under 5 years old children) with 8 family members. The family lives in Peareach village, Sethey commune, Samaky Meanchey district, Kampong Chhnang province.

Under WOBA water supply project, Poem Vech has been connected to Tbeng Khpuos piped water supply. The family contributed USD10.00 from their saving.

Now, every family member has very easy access to the piped water supply – there is no need to buy water from the vendor.

Before, Poem Vech bought water very expensive and always got water very late from the vendor. A Koyun truck of about 1,5000 liter cost 10,000 Riel (USD2.50) with already discount for a poor household like his.

With the EMW WOBA water supply connection subsidy through CWA and Tbeng Khpuos piped water supply, Poem Vech has been connected to the piped water supply with the contribution of 40,000 Riel (USD10.00).

Now, Poem Vech has very easy access to the piped water supply. He pays only 2,500 Riel (USD0.625) per 1,000 liter of the water.

Poem Vech was gratefull to EMW and CWA and siad, “Without EMW and CWA, without piped water supply for my household, and buying water from the vendor is now not possible as they stop doing this business.”