Overview

RainWater Cambodia was established in 2004 to formalize and promote rainwater harvesting in order to contribute to the necessary improvement of access to safe water sources in rural areas in Cambodia. In many areas throughout the country there is no accessible ground water or ground water is unsuitable for drinking due to high salinity, high iron levels or other contaminants such as naturally occurring arsenic. Rainwater harvesting is a traditional practice in rural areas in Cambodia (JICA (2002) estimated that 87% of rural households use rain water in the wet season) and rainwater represents a well appreciated water source. However the traditional systems and practices present some limits (volume of storage) and contamination risks (open storage), which must be limited through the formalization of rainwater harvesting systems designed based on a risk management approach. We are experience in working with local authorities to assess community needs and priorities and to provide access to safer drinking water, in particular where other options such as wells or household filtration are not viable. Our systems are customized, and range in size from 3,000L to 35,000L. The strategy of RainWater Cambodia is now to: - develop local private sector skills to design, build and market rainwater harvesting systems ; - develop and promote rural sanitation solutions, adapted to local needs and local private sector skills ; - increase the awareness of rural population regarding water, hygiene and sanitation issues, including the importance of hand washing practice. RainWater Cambodia is committed to continual improvement. RainWater Cambodia has commenced a process to ensure compliance with the new Code of Ethical Principles and Minimum Standards. This year RWC has successfully achieved the certification of good practice project (GPP). .

Background

The operational team of RainWater Cambodia is composed of 8 permanent staffs and some technicians who are hired on contractual basis for project implementation and construction trainings. Some of these technicians are from former beneficiary households and have been supported by RWC to develop their skills. RWC activities are overseen by a 5 person Board of Directors. RainWater Cambodia was established in response to an identified gap in access to a year round source of potable water in geographical areas where the ground water supplies are unsuitable for drinking due to high salinity, iron, aresenic or other contaminants or aesthetic problems and surface waters are intermittent. The focus in these areas are the most vulnerable in the community, particularly the the very young, the elderly, disabled and female headed households – those who are least able to carry water or pay for cartage. In addition, RainWater Cambodia recognises that appropriate hygiene and santiation practices go hand-in-hand with safe drinking water to improve health outcomes and we focus on systems and practices that are suitable for use in areas where water for sanitation and hygiene are not readily available. RainWater Cambodia emphasises a risk management approach to rain water harvseting to meet quality and quantity requirements, particularly during the dry season. In 2004 RainWater Cambodia designed a formalised approach of rain water harvesting that would enable households to access rain water for minimum drinking and cooking requirements all year round. To achieve year round access to water for drinking and cooking, consideration is given to local rainfall patterns (rainfall and dry season duration), harvesting area (roof) and people needs (5L/day/person). In addition, key issues such as controlling disease vectors must be addressed to minimise the occurrence of water borne diseases. RainWater Cambodia started in 2004, with funding from AusAID, to implement a project in Kampong Speu Province in order to demonstrate this approach to communities and other organisations. The objectives were to set up a benchmark for sustainable low cost systems and to support the spreading of these systems in Cambodia. To date RainWater Cambodia has worked in 14 provinces/municipalities and has constructed more than 1,000 household systems, 60 institutional systems (schools and health centres). In 2006, RWC started the first collaboration with GRET through PACEPAC program. It aims to improve access to water and sanitation through the development of public private partnerships between commune and local investors. RWC gained experience in commune assessment methodologies and was also actively involved in awareness campaigns (PHAST/CLTS approach). In 2008, GRET and RWC strengthened their partnership to launch SAMAKI program, funded by European Union. This program aims to support the communes and the private sector in proposing adapted technical solutions to improve access to safe water in arsenic affected areas. RWC actively contributes to the general coordination of commune assessments, coordination with provincial authorities (PRDC Excom), organization of technical trainings for local entrepreneurs and social marketing. RainWater Cambodia started in 2009, with funding from World Toilet Organization, to orient research and development of low cost latrine design in Kampong Speu province. This designing process was organized based on a participatory approach, characterised by group discussions with local entrepreneurs. RWC also participated to regular meetings organized by IDE to developed low cost latrine designs adapted to Cambodian rural areas. This year, RWC also worked with WTO and Lien Aid on display of hand washing devices and low cost latrine for the global hand washing day (15 Oct 2009 held at Kampong Cham) and world toilet day (22 Oct 2009 held at Kampong Speu) To the mid of 2010 RWC has support the construction of over 1000 household systems, 70 school systems and 9 health centre systems. RainWater Cambodia aims to develop and promote the private sector to meet future demands from communites that can afford to pay for these products and services. RainWater Cambodia is able to work across the country and strongly encourages partnerships with government and non government agencies to fill the 'gap' in community access to safer drinking water.

Value

N/A

Mission

To support rural communities in Cambodia to find appropriate solutions to access drinking water and sanitation through the development of their capacity and by strengthening the private sector to meet demand

Vision

Rural Communities - where drinking water and sanitation are accessible and equitable

Goal

N/A