Many countries in the world face the harsh reality of water scarcity due to factors like overpopulation, pollution, lack of basic hygiene practices, and more. While the problem is the same for all areas of the world, the solutions need to be unique to accommodate for the specific causes of water scarcity issues. Southeast Asia is no exception, even when the area is known for heavy rainfall. We will take a look at the issues facing Cambodia, a smaller country with nearly 17 million people, as they work to provide clean water for all its citizens. We examine why Cambodia often deals with contaminated water, what their current access to clean water looks like, water crisis facts, and how you can help us at Healing Waters International implement clean water solutions and more!
Why is Cambodia’s Water Contaminated?
The Cambodia water crisis stems largely from contaminated water supply from multiple sources. The lack of clean water is particularly prominent in rural areas with non-existent infrastructure, but urban cities face their own issues as well.
Waste Disposal
In rural areas of Cambodia, it is not uncommon to find plastic trash bags piled up outside of commercial buildings and homes. Sometimes these areas are very near fields used to grow food. Not only does this trash occasionally seep into the food grown for the nearby villages, but the toxins from the plastic bags often contaminate sources of drinking water.
Water Storage
The majority of villages in the country collect their drinking water from rainfall. After a long period of time, the stored water tends to attract parasites, insects, and other contaminants. Many people, especially susceptible children, end up contracting water-related illnesses from the drinking water. To take advantage of this stored water, these villages will need ways to purify the water supply.
Improper Infrastructure
Most would expect the monsoon season to be a gift to water-deprived areas, but it also comes with its setbacks for areas that are not prepared. Pools of excessive rain from flooding also invites unwanted wildlife to soils and drinking water. In more dense regions, water runoff is a huge issue, with no infrastructure in place to stop more and more toxins developing in the water.
Lack of Hygiene Education and Infrastructure
In western countries, we often take for granted our ability to freely wash our hands and use safe bathroom facilities anytime we need. Unfortunately, millions of people simply don’t have access to hand washing facilities or even toilets. Many are forced to use the bushes outside, where human waste can further contaminate water. Disease spreads much faster in these areas.
Cambodia’s Access to Clean Water
Cambodia is largely a rural nation, meaning there is a disproportionate number of people without access to clean water, as opposed to the urban areas. The country is dealing with a lot, both good and bad. While the economy is rising faster than even many of its neighbors, it also faces a downturn from the struggles of battling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This southeast Asian country’s regular monsoon season may lead to the misconception that there is plenty of water to go around. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Currently, many communities rely on groundwater alone for drinking water. Those living in rural areas sometimes have to travel over thirty minutes for access to clean water. Millions of others are even further away.
Together, We Can Change Lives
With your support, we can continue to expand our reach and provide safe water solutions to more communities around the world.
Water Crisis Facts About Cambodia
To summarize, here are some eye-opening facts that have contributed to the Cambodia water crisis.
- Around 20% of the population lack essential access to clean water.
- A third of the country does not have the ability to wash their hands properly.
- Over a third of the country does not have access to an indoor bathroom.
On the positive side:
- The number of people without clean drinking water has decreased by 50% since 2005.
- Access to bathrooms has also decreased by nearly half since 2005.
- The Cambodian government wants 100% of people to have clean water by 2025.
You Can Help End the Cambodia Water Crisis
There is hope! The government in Cambodia has set goals to provide clean water for all its residents, and we’re happy to assist on that mission! Poverty and illness rates in the country continue to lower, and solving the country’s water crisis will help lower them even further. Based on the facts above, we can see positive trends in the right direction, even if some of the numbers are still alarming.
Healing Waters International wants to work with the equally committed people of Cambodia to find water treatment solutions to their water crisis. Of course, we won’t stop there, as it is our mission to supply clean water to every person in the world. Take a look at what water solution projects we have completed in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. Our staff is always ready for the next project, no matter what the challenge, but we’ll need your help.
We know purifying water can be costly, but we make it our goal to provide economically feasible solutions for even the most remote communities. Our solutions last because we take the time to educate the populace, provide hygiene education and training, and empower the community to take ownership of their own water business. This way, future generations will continue to thrive and keep themselves safe from water-related diseases. By joining our Saturate Community, you can aid us in our fight to grant clean water to all, and we mean all! Your contributions will go a long way to making an impact on millions of lives. Want to find other ways to get involved? Contact us with any questions about what role you can play to help us provide sources of clean water, hand washing facilities, and more for nations all across the world. It all starts with your help.