Project Summary

Ⅰ Objectives 

The project assumes "safe water supply in rural areas" as the key direction of the water resources cooperation. It was determined by the third meeting of the Joint Working Group on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation, and adheres to the principles of good-neighbourliness, mutual trust, equality, respect, mutually beneficial situation and shared development. It aims to propose a systematic plan to solve the prominent problems due to lack of good quality water and water infrastructures in rural areas in accordance with water sources such as surface water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and groundwater from wells, and water supply types such as small-scale centralized ones and decentralized ones, jointly conduct the technical demonstration of drinking water safety maintenance in rural areas, initially establish a suitable local technical system and legal framework for rural water supply, and significantly improve the management capacity of the construction and management of rural water supply projects. Through joint research and technology application in a typical area, this project can help the local residents solve problems regarding drinking water safety and improve the conditions of drinking water and sanitation in the demonstration area. It shall also enable the stakeholders to participate in water supply in the rural area, which would aid the local residents and other stakeholders, and improve the awareness of water management and sanitation in the rural area. Simultaneously, this project can provide experience and technical support for safe water supply in the whole Lancang-Mekong region. 

Ⅱ main activities 

Demonstration projects for Rural Drinking Water Supply (RDWS) shall be implemented in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Meanwhile, a technical system for the safety of RDW shall be established. Publicity and promotion of water supply safety shall be carried out. Based on the above-mentioned activities, the management capabilities of local governments and villages shall be substantially improved.  

(a) Technical demonstration of development and utilization of central water supply source  

It is planned to erect demonstrations of water resource development and utilization technologies, such as central rainwater harvesting, riverside water pumping, and groundwater exploration and collection.  

(b)Water quality and safety guarantee technology demonstration of conventional drinking water source water for centralized RDWS projects 

It is deliberated to construct demonstrations of general water treatment, biological slow filtration, disinfection technology and device for a centralized water supply project. It is planned to finish the construction of water source, water quality inprovement and water transmission and distribution pipe network, to realise the comprehensive demonstration of pipe network water quality assurance technology. 

(c) Water quality improvement technology demonstration of poor quality and slight pollution source water for centralized RDWS projects 

Aiming at the problems of high arsenic presence, excessive iron organic matter and other water source quality problems, it has been planned to carry out application and construct demonstration projects based on adsorption method, membrane method, aeration oxidation method and other processes.  

(d) Technical demonstration for decentralized RDWS projects 

In view of the water storage and water quality problems for rural residents, it is planned to construct water storage, water purification and utilization technology demonstration projects. Based on this, a technology model shall be proposed to solve the water quantity and water quality problems for the decentralized RDWS projects. 

(e) Technical system establishment for RDWS in LMC countries 

It is proposed to study and put forward a technical system for ensuring rural drinking water safety in rural areas with various water sources and water quality characteristics. It is intended to formulate guaranteed regional rural water supply technical plans, and prepare technical equipment and management guidelines. A serial of training sessions and exchange programs are scheduled to commence. 

(f) Promotion of RDWS in LMC countries 

A Drinking Water Safety Knowledge Manual shall be prepared.  Some wall charts, CDs and recording tapes shall be made as well. And the promotion of public awareness activities shall be proposed. 

Ⅲ Expected Outcomes/Achieved Results and Prospects 

(a) Technical solutions for the RDWS safety in LMC countries 

Expected outcomes: 3 sets of technical solutions of RDWS safety assurance for typical areas in LMC countries. 

Achieved results: A field survey has been done to identify the need of the local residents and preliminary technical schemes are being discussed with local management agencies. 

(b) Appropriate technical models, facilities and devices 

Expected outcomes: 2 typical water storage facilities, 2 village-level engineering models of rainwater collection and utilization, and 2 village-level technical models of rainwater harvesting, purification and disinfection for centralized RDWS projects. 1 technical model for rainfall flood harvesting and storage, 2 utility water storage facilities, and appropriate water purification or disinfection devices for decentralized RDWS projects. 

Achieved results: The facilities, devices and technical models mentioned above have been propounded. 

Appropriate water supply facilities, devices and technical models for the LMC countries 

(c) Demonstration projects Construction 

Expected outcomes: 9 small-scale technical demonstration projects of centralized RDWS projects, including: 1 demonstration project of water source construction, 1 demonstration project of rainwater harvesting and utilization, 5-6 demonstration projects of water purification and disinfection, 1 demonstration project of pipeline work water quality safety assurance and 50 households RDWS demonstration projects. 

Achieved results: Engineering design, procurement of raw materials, installation of water storage facilities, and installation of water purification equipment are underway. 

Demonstration water supply project design for Baken Village, Meng’en County, Xaignabouli Province 

Demonstration project water storage facility installation in Srekro Village, Xishan Prefecture, Stung Treng Province 

Demonstration project of water purification equipment that has been processed 

(d) Management guidelines 

Expected outcomes: 3 guidelines on operation and management of water supply project, and application and management of water purification and disinfection technology and devices. 

Achieved results: The outline of the guidelines has been prepared. 

(e) Technical training  

Expected outcomes: 3 technical exchanges and trainings for regional-level rural water supply management personnel and 5 field training sessions. 

Achieved results: Communicating technical exchanges and training programs for management personnel with the RDWS management department of LMC countries. 

(f) Technical promotion 

Expected outcomes: 1 set of “Drinking Water Safety Knowledge Manual”, 1 set of knowledge promotion wall charts, and 1 set of CDs and recording tapes. 

Achieved results: The first draft of “Drinking Water Safety Knowledge Manual” (Chinese Version) has been documented. 

Outline and some partial schematic of "Drinking Water Safety Knowledge Publicity Manual" 

Ⅳ project contact 

Contact: Ms. Yannan Jia 

Implementing Agency: China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower  Research (IWHR) 

Tel: +86-10-68786961 

Fax: +86-10-68451169 

Email: 115160520@qq.com；jiayn@iwhr.com 

Adress: No.20, Chegongzhuang West Road, 100048 Beijing, China

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