Residents in the Cambodian border town of Poipet say they can no longer tolerate the poor quality water supplied by a private company that’s owned by an influential tycoon.
The dirty water has been especially problematic over the last month and has caused sore throats, abdominal pain, itching and coughing, Poipet resident Den Doeut told Radio Free Asia on July 18.
“It looks like it has affected a lot of people,” he said. “I want the authorities and court to make sure all companies in Cambodia are responsible, to provide monetary compensation for our health problems, and medical treatment for what they have done.”
Workers digging sewers damaged several water pipes, which led to mud seeping into a distribution network that supplies Poipet business and households, according to a July 16 statement from Banteay Meanchey province’s Department of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
But the department said the problem of smelly and muddy water has been minimal.
Additionally, a monthslong drought has caused water levels at a reservoir located just across the border in Thailand to drop, according to a July 16 notice from ANCO Water Supply, which is owned by Cambodia Okhna Association Vice President Kok An.
That has complicated efforts to deliver clean water, the company said. A technical team has been testing for translucency, acidity and chlorine levels, it said.
ANCO was licensed by the provincial government several years ago to supply clean water and electricity to Poipet residents, as well as the town’s casinos and hotel resorts.
Provincial authorities should also inspect ANCO’s water filtration site, said Din Puthy, head of informal workers support group the Cambodia Informal Economy Reinforced Association.
“The first person who is responsible is the government and secondly the company, because the company makes a lot of money from the people providing the water,” he said.
RFA was unable to contact ANCO Water Supply for comment this week.
Nhel Bunthoeun, the director of Banteay Meanchey’s Department of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, was also unavailable for comment.
Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed.