Cambodia's northwestern city of Battambang has taken a significant step forward in urban water infrastructure, with the formal inauguration of an upgraded water supply system. The ceremony was presided over by Minister Hem Vanndy on behalf of Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The project, co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Royal Government of Cambodia at a combined cost of approximately USD 31.77 million, was built between July 2022 and December 2025. It encompasses water intake facilities, a treatment plant, and a 94-kilometre distribution network serving Kampong Seyma Village and the wider city.
The upgrade more than doubles the Battambang Water Utility's production capacity, from 33,520 m³/day to 83,520 m³/day, representing a rise of around 148%. An additional 16,798 household connections have been established, bringing coverage to roughly 76% of the service area.
At the inauguration, Minister Hem Vanndy stated that the expanded system means "households, traders, producers, and businesses will have access to clean, safe, sustainable, and affordable water to support their well-being and livelihoods."
ADB Country Director for Cambodia Yasmin Siddiqi underscored the wider significance, noting that the project "delivers safe and reliable water services, improving public health and supporting local economic growth," and that access to affordable water is essential as urbanisation accelerates.
AFD Country Director Sandrine Boucher described the achievement as reaching beyond physical infrastructure: "It is an investment in people, in public health, and in the city's future."
The project is presented by its partners as a model of multilateral cooperation in Cambodia's water sector, contributing to inclusive urban development and improved living conditions across the region.
