Safe Water Access Transforms Lives in Tonle Sap

In the heart of Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, a continuous journey led by Oxfam, in partnership with HURREDO, under the Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable WASH in the Tonle Sap (FOWASH) project funded by KOICA, has reached another precious milestone. 

On 12 November 2025, we launched six new community water kiosks in Battambang province following successfully establishment of five kiosks in Siem Reap earlier in May. These kiosks are reshaping access to safe water for thousands of families. 

Constructed across Thmar Koul, Sangkae, Kamrieng, and Bavel districts, the six kiosks now serve 3,600 households with safe and affordable drinking water. Beyond homes, they extend their impact to vital community institutions such as health centers, commune offices, primary schools, and police stations. This approach reflects a community-return system, ensuring that the kiosks not only meet household needs but also give back to wider community.

Each kiosk draws water from drilled wells and treats it through a comprehensive purification system. The process includes sand filtration, activated carbon and resin treatment, micro-filtration, Reverse Osmosis (RO), and UV disinfection. This multiple-stage system effectively removes pathogens and contaminants to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality. Under the support of the project, local entrepreneurs have been trained in water quality and filtration technology, ensuring that knowledge stays within the community. 

As part of the project’s activities, community-based operation was established to ensure sustainability by forming Water Kiosk Committees (WKC) and engaging local entre-preneurs for on-site management. The kiosks operate in coordination with the Commune Council, aiming for long-term viability through revenue from water sales. To strengthen community engagement and enable effective monitoring, each target commune forms a WKC to oversee and support kiosk operations. Technical aspects are maintained through regular on-site coaching by partner organizations, ensuring both operational efficiency and sustainability.

Through collective effort and strong community ownership, these new kiosks mark not just an achievement but a lasting investment in healthier, more resilient communities around the Tonle Sap.