Safe Drinking Water at the Saramrith Secondary School in Cambodia

Summary

Kampong Chhnang Province will be the site of the first East Meets West Clean Water and Sanitation Project in Cambodia. Located 90 kilometers east of Phnom Penh, with a population of just under 600,000 people, Kampong Chhnang is one of the poorest province

Background

In Cambodia, the lack of access to safe drinking water poses a serious threat to the lives of millions. Civil war has left water distribution systems damaged, unmaintained, and dried up. With a rapidly growing population and the increasing impact of climate change the water shortage crisis is worsening by the year. According to a recent health report, unsafe water has become one of the main causes of under-five mortality in Cambodia. In some places, the situation is extremely dire, with remote areas generally having less access to clean water than urban areas and their surroundings..

Roughly 40 percent of secondary schools in Cambodia do not have drinking water facilities , and the vast majority of schools in remote areas struggle every day to find safe drinking water for consumption. The government cannot afford to build water systems for the schools. Given their substantially positive impact on selected schools performance indicators and their contribution to the establishment of good health, hygiene and sanitation practices at this formative stage of life, increased investment in these essential facilities will yield multiple dividends.

The Saramrith School was built by the government in 1963, with more rooms added in subsequent years. The school accommodates up to 4,440 students and 180 teachers, but has no. safe water system and no funds to build one. The goal of the EMW project is to set up a UV (ultraviolet) system to provide clean water to the school, protecting students from the water-borne diseases present in untreated water.

Consumption of unsafe water is one of the major factors contributing to high infant mortality rates, disease, and short life expectancy; our proposed project will help solve the problem by implementing in Cambodia the type of UV water system that has been successful in Vietnam. Once completed, this project will change the lives of thousands student in school.

Location

, Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia

Attachments

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2 participants | show more
Financing

Rick McGowan of Team Blue

Who is going to pay for the long term O&M (e.g., mainly battery and module replacement, etc.). What is their current source of water? Is their current water source treated? How? By whom? What happens when the pump(s) crap out (every pump will crap out at some point)? Will the water charge (you will have one, won't you?) include O&M a...

Who is going to pay for the long term O&M (e.g., mainly battery and module replacement, etc.). What is their current source of water? Is their current water source treated? How? By whom?

What happens when the pump(s) crap out (every pump will crap out at some point)? Will the water charge (you will have one, won't you?) include O&M and eventual subsystem replacement cost?

Cheers, Rick
- My-Anh Ha of East Meets West Foundation
  
  Hi Rick: Thanks for the questions! Here are the answers provided by the Cambodian team: Long term O&M will be taken care by the school water committees, using the project budget for O&M. Well water pumped is their current source of water.
  
  Hi Rick:
  
  Thanks for the questions! Here are the answers provided by the Cambodian team:
  
  Long term O&M will be taken care by the school water committees, using the project budget for O&M.
  
  Well water pumped is their current source of water.
2 participants | show more
Pump technology

Martin Strele of Kairos

Hi, did you think about a solar-powered pump instead of a generator? Thanks, Martin

Hi,
did you think about a solar-powered pump instead of a generator?
Thanks,
Martin
- Rick McGowan of Team Blue
  
  A feasibility study must be carried out that suggests that a solar pump(s) could be a reasonable water delivery option under the following conditions, namely that the PV system were found to be competitive in terms of: 1) The upfront installation costs of the solar array, batteries (unless you intend to only run the pumps during the dayli...
  
  A feasibility study must be carried out that suggests that a solar pump(s) could be a reasonable water delivery option under the following conditions, namely that the PV system were found to be competitive in terms of:
  
  1) The upfront installation costs of the solar array, batteries (unless you intend to only run the pumps during the daylight hours), pumps, controllers, and water system manager(s), compared to using handpumps, diesel pumps, wind turbines (but unlikely in most areas of Cambodia), and hand pumps.
  
  2) Training of local staff in module installation (generally easy), maintenance (largely battery management) and repair of electric pumps when necessary.
  
  3) Long-term O&M costs (replacing PV modules, broken panels (a security issue rather than a construction issue (e.g., kids throw rocks, people steal batteries, etc.)
  
  4) A detailed cost analysis should be carried out to determine whether the costs of the PV systems were truly competitive with diesel, gravity flow springs, or grid electricity (if available within a mile or two) are reasonably cost competitive in terms of installation and O&M costs.
  
  5) People will need to be willing to pay for eventual purchasing of degraded battery banks. They would also need to pay an operator / watchman / O&M staff to keep on eye on things, and collect water tariffs over the long term.
  
  6) People are willing to pay (WTP) for materials and equipment (mainly batteries) and replacement pumps (whose frequency of replacement is typically dependent upon the water quality and well depth).
  
  7) WTP depends upon people's willing and ability to pay for water. If they already are paying for water from some other available source, the likelihood of them being willing to upgrade to a solar PV system to a cost competitive diesel, gravity, or handpump.
  
  8) I'm not current on the solar radiation levels and capacity of solar pumps in Cambodia. You would need to reference long-term meteorological data (usually easy to find at the provincial level at least) to ensure that the solar electric generators would be sufficient to meet demand.
  
  Rick
  - Martin Strele of Kairos
    
    Thanks for this. Just to keep things a bit easier: There are lot's of experiences with Solar-powered pumps in other countries and assessing the feasibility sounds very complicated in your explanation. Just have in mind the framework you take into account in choosing fuel-powered generators nowadays... I would prefer to fund a bit more an...
    
    Thanks for this. Just to keep things a bit easier: There are lot's of experiences with Solar-powered pumps in other countries and assessing the feasibility sounds very complicated in your explanation. Just have in mind the framework you take into account in choosing fuel-powered generators nowadays...
    
    I would prefer to fund a bit more and help provide real autonomy instead of fueling climate change, dependency on external imports of fuels, generators, spare parts etc. all needed with fuel-powered generators as well.
    
    So caring for spare parts is not limited on solar powered systems. And: don't go for battery-banks as this is the only short-living part in solar-powered systems. Panels come with good glass-covers, radiation will do in Cambodia (as it does in Austria as well) and training (south-south) is already offered to lots of rural people (e.g. also Safer Future in Sierra Leone did Solar training for people from Nigeria, Sudan and now Tanzania). Don't choose old-school technology for people in poor or rural areas, choose a simple and reliable technology.
- Martin Strele of Kairos
  
  Thanks for this. Just to keep things a bit easier: There are lot's of experiences with Solar-powered pumps in other countries and assessing the feasibility sounds very complicated in your explanation. Just have in mind the framework you take into account in choosing fuel-powered generators nowadays... I would prefer to fund a bit more an...
  
  Thanks for this. Just to keep things a bit easier: There are lot's of experiences with Solar-powered pumps in other countries and assessing the feasibility sounds very complicated in your explanation. Just have in mind the framework you take into account in choosing fuel-powered generators nowadays...
  
  I would prefer to fund a bit more and help provide real autonomy instead of fueling climate change, dependency on external imports of fuels, generators, spare parts etc. all needed with fuel-powered generators as well.
  
  So caring for spare parts is not limited on solar powered systems. And: don't go for battery-banks as this is the only short-living part in solar-powered systems. Panels come with good glass-covers, radiation will do in Cambodia (as it does in Austria as well) and training (south-south) is already offered to lots of rural people (e.g. also Safer Future in Sierra Leone did Solar training for people from Nigeria, Sudan and now Tanzania). Don't choose old-school technology for people in poor or rural areas, choose a simple and reliable technology.
3 participants | show more
budget & survey and tracking of past projects

Meera Hira-Smith of Project Well

1. Would be helpful to see a detailed budget in excel format for instance installation of the UV system is 4,833 and the deep well is 1450 do these include only the material if what because labor is listed as separate. 2. What is the signboard and why is it so expensive? 3. Could you please explain what is the 'public announcement for b...

1. Would be helpful to see a detailed budget in excel format for instance installation of the UV system is 4,833 and the deep well is 1450 do these include only the material if what because labor is listed as separate.

2. What is the signboard and why is it so expensive?

3. Could you please explain what is the 'public announcement for bidding'?

4. What would be the maintenance cost?

5. The study that will be done is to assess the health conditions of the students and teachers including attendance record before and after the installation of the UV plant. Would you also consider the water (and food) consumed at home or elsewhere other than school?

6. How do you track the historical projects for instance that of Safe water system at Mai Hoa that was supposed to be completed in December 2008?
Can you direct me to some of the reports of:
Safe water system at Tan Hoa
Safe water system at Loc Thuy.
Thank you
Meera
- Rick McGowan of Team Blue
  
  I may have missed it, but where are the water quality testing results and cost for the analysis? How often will they do water quality testing (World Bank and ADB projects usually require WQ testing every six months)? Who will pay for this? Rick
  
  I may have missed it, but where are the water quality testing results and cost for the analysis?
  
  How often will they do water quality testing (World Bank and ADB projects usually require WQ testing every six months)? Who will pay for this?
  
  Rick
- Rick McGowan of Team Blue
  
  I assume that there will be open and competitive bidding for the construction of the PV (not "UV") power supply and the water filtration and control system. EMW should stipulate the estimated monthly and annual operation and maintenance cost projection, so that users will be better able to assess their willingness and ability to pay for l...
  
  I assume that there will be open and competitive bidding for the construction of the PV (not "UV") power supply and the water filtration and control system.
  
  EMW should stipulate the estimated monthly and annual operation and maintenance cost projection, so that users will be better able to assess their willingness and ability to pay for long term system use, including estimated system expansion over time.
  
  I don't know anything about the signboard. Perhaps EMW (Mrs. Tam) could answer that question.
  
  Water consumption at school is easy enough to measure, and necessary to set a reasonable tariff. I see no reason whatsoever to measure food intake. That is not relevant for this project.
  
  It's fine to track health conditions of the project beneficiaries, but that should be done by the local health officials, not the project. My understanding is that the focus is on providing good quality, reasonable cost water supply, not to carry out health surveys.
  - Meera Hira-Smith of Project Well
    
    Hi Rick, To see the effects of water through health studies one need to do a recall of at least 2 weeks of sources of water and food especially if the subject has diarrhea in the past 2 weeks because diarrhea is caused by contaminated water and food. You are right to see the effectiveness of the new water system a research team should be ...
    
    Hi Rick, To see the effects of water through health studies one need to do a recall of at least 2 weeks of sources of water and food especially if the subject has diarrhea in the past 2 weeks because diarrhea is caused by contaminated water and food. You are right to see the effectiveness of the new water system a research team should be involved funded by other organizations. Thanks for your input on this panel. Meera
- Meera Hira-Smith of Project Well
  
  Hi Rick, To see the effects of water through health studies one need to do a recall of at least 2 weeks of sources of water and food especially if the subject has diarrhea in the past 2 weeks because diarrhea is caused by contaminated water and food. You are right to see the effectiveness of the new water system a research team should be ...
  
  Hi Rick, To see the effects of water through health studies one need to do a recall of at least 2 weeks of sources of water and food especially if the subject has diarrhea in the past 2 weeks because diarrhea is caused by contaminated water and food. You are right to see the effectiveness of the new water system a research team should be involved funded by other organizations. Thanks for your input on this panel. Meera
- My-Anh Ha of East Meets West Foundation
  
  Thanks for your questions. The Cambodian team provided the following answers: 2. • The unit cost of standing signboards: 1m² = $50 (for 2 m²) • Two metals stands: $20 3. "Public announcement of bidding" usually means announcing the bidding package for the project on public mass media (either local/national/international newspapers, ...
  
  Thanks for your questions. The Cambodian team provided the following answers:
  
  2. • The unit cost of standing signboards: 1m² = $50 (for 2 m²)
  • Two metals stands: $20
  
  3. "Public announcement of bidding" usually means announcing the bidding package for the project on public mass media (either local/national/international newspapers, television, internet or public meetings, etc.)
  
  5. This project is focused on school-related activities only.
  
  6. We will post the reports of the completed projects (including Tan Hoa and Loc Thuy) onto PWX website and will notify you when that is done.

Rating: 4

review by Project Well

The two major reasons for the scoring 'fair' are inadequate information of past projects and the budget is not clear. Suggestions: It would be worthwhile to fund in those areas where there is no safe drinking water rather than installing an expensive UV system at a school where drinking water system exits. No doubt UV treatment is one of the best method to purify water that can be afforded only by a few developed countries like New Zealand. In the developing countries and in most developed countries chlorine based disinfectant is the primary method used. To use a very expensive system in one part of the region and having no source of drinking water in the other parts is rather impractical. The school children are perhaps exposed to bacteria contaminated water at their home. I would use several bacteria removal filters in the schools so that funds can be disbursed in other parts of the country. Tracking system should be developed of all the projects as early as possible to get better score next year. Good Wishes.
Rating: 6

review by Agua Para la Vida (APLV)

I assume that the students are boarders in that school, Otherwise providing potable water in school alone would be a very incomplete solution. It seems that the details of the project are not all in place or the spoksperson for the project is not fully informed. The usual doubts about long term survival of the system are probably justified if the water circulation system is powered by mecanical pumps ( whether actuated by a diesel generator or by solar panels). But the need is clearly there and the investment is moderate. I think the project should probably be financed but a strong recommendation should be made to NGO to take the long term survival of the project more seriously.
Rating: 3

review by Kairos

Did I miss the answers to the questions in the forum? Difficult to rate without any reply. Therefore a "safe rating" from me...
Rating: 6

review by Blue Planet Network

This looks like a good project but the actual need is not clear.
Also, i am being rather lenient because the project's implementer is the new EMW office in Cambodia. The lack of response and participation in the peer review process makes this very hard to support. Responsiveness and participation is key, and next time we expect to see it.
Rating: 9

review by Team Blue

The application has already provided numerous details in the Q&A forum. The proposed project implementation agency has substantial experience in carrying out rural water supply and sanitation projects. The only substantial difference is the PV pumping plant. As mentioned by another reviewer, current PV technology is based on extensive experience in many countries in the world. The selection of technology should be based on estimated per capita cost and O&M costs, and the ability of the user community to operate the system. For PV systems, operations are typically very simple.
Rating: 7

review by Lifewater International

Name	Status	Completion Date	Final Cost
Safe Drinking Water at the Soramarith Secondary School in Cambodia	completed	Mar 2011	15,000

Plan Amount:	15,000
Amount Funded:	15,000
Funded by:
	15,000

plan 265Safe Drinking Water at the Saramrith Secondary School in Cambodia

by East Meets West Foundation in Cambodia

Status: Plan accepted

Peer Review

Summary

Background

Location

Attachments

Focus

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 4,580

School Children Getting Water: 4,400

People Getting Sanitation: 4,580

People Getting Other Benefits:

Start Date: 2010-03-01

Completion Date: 2010-07-01

Technology Used:

Phases:

Community Organization:

Government Interaction:

Ancillary activities:

Other Issues:

Maintenance Revenue:

Maintenance Cost:

Metrics:

Cost: $15,000

Co Funding Amount:

Community Contribution Amount:

Fund Requested: $15,000

Attachments