Cambodia's Water Pollution: Understanding The Primary Cause

Cambodia is facing a water crisis, with a large proportion of the population lacking access to clean water. The country's rapid economic growth has led to widespread deforestation, impacting precious water sources. While the economy is rising, many people still live in extreme poverty, without basic services like clean water or sanitation. The water crisis in Cambodia is largely due to contaminated water supply from multiple sources, including industrial, agricultural, and household waste, as well as natural causes such as arsenic contamination and excess rainfall, which can create stagnant water and attract unwanted pests.

Industrial, agricultural, and household waste

Cambodia's water crisis is largely due to contaminated water from multiple sources, including industrial, agricultural, and household waste.

Industrial Waste

The rapid expansion of industry in Cambodia is causing widespread deforestation, impacting precious water sources. Industrial waste is one of the main contributors to water pollution, as untreated pollutants are discharged into water bodies. For example, in 2015, a local saw mill was found to be contaminating a waterway in Stung Treng, and cassava producers in Pailin were also linked to water pollution.

Agricultural Waste

Agriculture plays a significant role in water pollution, particularly in a country like Cambodia, where a large proportion of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood. The use of pesticides, fertilisers, and other chemicals in farming can contaminate water sources, affecting both surface water and groundwater. This is a pressing issue in Ratanakiri province, where most inhabitants are smallholder farmers practising subsistence agriculture.

Household Waste

Unsafe household waste disposal methods also contribute to water pollution. In Cambodia, access to safe and clean water is a challenge, especially for rural households, as water facilities and infrastructure are limited outside major cities. UNICEF found that 6.3 million out of 14.9 million Cambodians lack access to clean water, and many rely on groundwater for drinking. This can lead to contamination from parasites and mosquito reproduction, causing waterborne diseases, especially in children.

Furthermore, the lack of proper sanitation infrastructure in rural areas exacerbates the problem, with over a third of the country lacking access to indoor bathrooms. Open defecation and improper waste disposal can contaminate water sources, leading to the spread of diseases.

The Cambodian government has set ambitious goals to address these issues, aiming for 100% access to improved water and sanitation in rural areas by 2025.

Lack of infrastructure

Cambodia's water crisis is largely due to a lack of appropriate infrastructure. The country is predominantly rural, and outside of the main cities, access to water facilities and infrastructure is limited. This means that millions of people, particularly in rural areas, do not have access to clean water.

The main source of drinking water for villagers comes from rainfall, which is collected in large cement structures. However, this water is often contaminated, as it creates an environment that is conducive to parasites and mosquitoes. This leads to waterborne illnesses, which are especially harmful to children. The treatment for these illnesses is often expensive and inaccessible.

The country also struggles with excess rain during the rainy season, which causes water stagnation. This, in turn, leads to unstable soil, and the attraction of unwanted living things, such as snakes and mosquitoes. The stagnant water also affects the conditions of the roads, which are mostly dirt roads, creating hazardous conditions for motorcycles, the primary mode of transportation in Cambodia.

The government of Cambodia has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100% access to improved water and sanitation in rural areas by 2025. To address the water crisis, organizations like Water.org and Healing Waters International are working to provide affordable financing and water treatment solutions to communities in need.

Arsenic contamination

Elevated arsenic levels have been found in several provinces, including Kandal, Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, and Kratie. These provinces have some of the highest arsenic concentrations in the country, with Kandal being the most severely affected. In 2014, it was reported that 35% of over 15,000 wells sampled in Kandal contained arsenic levels above the national limit, and 54% exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) standard.

The presence of arsenic in groundwater is a global issue, particularly in countries with major mountain ranges like the Himalayas. Rivers flowing from these mountains carry large volumes of sediment that contain arsenic. Over time, these sediments are deposited in riverbanks and floodplains, and under certain groundwater conditions, the arsenic is released and dissolved into groundwater aquifers. This contaminated groundwater is then pumped to the surface and consumed by individuals and communities.

The consumption of arsenic-contaminated water has severe health consequences. Arsenicosis is a chronic health condition that develops from long-term ingestion of arsenic. It can cause hardening and discolouration of the skin on the hands and feet, known as keratosis or melanosis. These skin lesions can become infected and may even require amputation in severe cases. Additionally, arsenic consumption increases the risk of developing internal cancers, particularly lung and skin cancer.

To address the issue of arsenic contamination, the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy approved Cambodian drinking water quality standards in 2004, setting the limit for arsenic in drinking water at 0.05 mg per litre. Various organisations, including UNICEF, RDI, and the Cambodian Ministry of Rural Development, have conducted surveys and established an arsenic testing database to monitor and mitigate the problem. RDI has also implemented affordable payment programs for affected areas, providing hand-dug wells and rainwater collection systems to ensure access to safer water sources.

Monsoon season

The lack of proper infrastructure to manage excess rainwater during the monsoon season exacerbates the problem. The stagnant water creates unstable soil conditions and attracts unwanted creatures like snakes and mosquitoes. This situation is further complicated by the runoff of toxins through congested areas in cities, contaminating water sources.

The monsoon season's impact on water quality is particularly notable in rural areas, where approximately 75% of Cambodians reside. These regions face challenges in accessing safe water and sanitation facilities due to limited infrastructure outside major cities. As a result, many rural communities rely solely on groundwater for their drinking water needs.

The Cambodian government has acknowledged the water crisis and set ambitious goals to address it. They aim to achieve 100% access to improved water and sanitation in rural areas by 2025. This target aligns with the country's efforts to combat the effects of climate change and improve access to affordable financing for water and sanitation solutions.

While the monsoon season presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for water-deprived areas. With proper purification methods, the rainwater collected during this season can be utilized to increase access to safe drinking water. Additionally, organizations like Healing Waters International are working to implement clean water solutions and support the government's efforts in reaching its goals.

Lack of access to safe water

Cambodia is facing a water crisis, with a large portion of its population lacking access to safe water. This issue disproportionately affects rural communities, as they have limited access to water facilities and infrastructure outside of major cities. Approximately 75% of Cambodia's 16 million people live in rural areas, and it is estimated that around 70% of the population, or 11 million people, do not have access to safe water. This lack of access leads to health issues, particularly for young children, and hinders the ability to practice proper hygiene and sanitation.

UNICEF has reported that 6.3 million out of 14.9 million Cambodians lack access to clean water, with the problem being more acute in rural areas. During the 2014 World Water Day, UNICEF Cambodia urged the government to prioritize the rural water supply, as they believed the lack of access was due to the government's focus on other development areas. The Cambodian government has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100% access to improved water and sanitation in rural areas by 2025.

The water crisis in Cambodia is further exacerbated by water pollution, with industrial, agricultural, and household wastes being significant contributors. Contamination from multiple sources, such as arsenic in groundwater and the Mekong River basin, has led to unsafe drinking water, which is a leading cause of child morbidity, especially in low-income settings. The Cambodian government, along with organizations like Water.org and Healing Waters International, is working to address this issue by providing affordable financing and implementing clean water solutions.

One of the key challenges in Cambodia is the affordability of safe water solutions for families. Many households cannot afford to install safe water solutions in their homes and rely on distant sources, including lakes and wells, for their water needs. This often results in the use of contaminated water, as seen in the story of Mao, who walked to a distant lake to collect water for her family until she was able to access affordable financing for a safe water solution through Water.org's local partner bank in Cambodia.

To address the lack of access to safe water in Cambodia, organizations are working with microfinance institutions and commercial banks to provide loans and financing solutions. Water.org's WaterCredit solution has reached over 300,000 people, demonstrating the effectiveness of these approaches. Additionally, efforts are being made to improve and expand the services of local water utilities to reach more people in need. These initiatives aim to bring safe water and sanitation solutions to families, empowering them to build healthier and brighter futures.

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