AKP Phnom Penh, January 03, 2025 --

Some 87 percent of Cambodia’s total population of about 17 million had access to basic drinking water as of 2024, while the coverage rate of safely managed drinking water was 21 percent.

The figures were shared by H.E. Chreay Pom, Director General of Technical Affairs at the Ministry of Rural Development, during a meeting on rural drinking water and sanitation held here on Jan. 2 under the chairmanship of H.E. Chhay Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development.

For sanitation, he added, the nationwide coverage rate for basic sanitation services now rose to about 92 percent, while 51 percent of the population have access to safely managed sanitation services.

H.E. Minister Chhay Rithisen reaffirmed the ministry’s determination to achieve full coverage of drinking water and sanitation. According to him, the ministry plans to declare seven more provinces open defecation-free by the end of 2025.

Currently, 14 of Cambodia’s 25 provinces and capital have already been granted the status of open defecation-free zones.

The Royal Government has set a target of ensuring access to sufficient clean water and 100 percent sanitation by 2030.

By C. Nika