Public Urged To Save Water Over Summer Months

Water supply shortages during the current period of hot weather require members of the public to use water more efficiently and economically.

If anyone finds water leaks, people stealing water or destroying water meters, please call Vientiane State Water Supply Enterprise’s (VSWSE) hotline number 1169, representatives from the enterprise asked.

It’s accepted that the company’s plants are not able to supply enough water to the public due to the population increase, rapid expansion and developments in the city, VSWSE General Manager Mr Khampheuy Vongsakhamphoui told local media recently.

He said currently the VSWSE has four water supply plants which combined produce water at their full capacities of around 180,000 cubic metres but Vientiane requires about 340,000 cubic metres a day.

This means the company will need to produce an additional 160,000 cubic metres to meet the demand.

As a result, it caused many areas, in particular areas of higher elevation, to suffer from water shortages as the demand for water in Vientiane during this season typically rises so piped water shortages can occur, Mr Khampheuy commented.

The areas most affected by the water shortages are Chommany, Khamhoung and Sivilay villages in Xaythany district.

In response to this issue Nampapa Nakhone Luang is using water trucks for emergency deliveries so people who need water can contact the company’s 1169 hotline to order six cubic metres of water, which can be delivered for a price of 165,000 kip, he added.

Mr Khampheuy said that in the longer term VSWSE plans to build and expand its water supply plants in a bid to increase supply and ensure there is enough to meet public demand.

“We are expanding Phase 2 of the water treatment plant at Dongmakkhai area at a cost of more than 700 billion kip (about US$88 million). The plant, which will have a capacity of 100,000 cubic metres a day, is expected to be finished at the end of this year.

In addition, there is a water supply plant under construction in the Thadeua area, which will have a capacity of 20,000 cubic metres a day. The plant is being invested in by a foreign company at a cost of more than 160 billion kip (US$20 million) and this plant is scheduled to be complete in 2016.

Another water supply plant, with a capacity of 20,000 cubic metres a day, will be built in Saendin village, Naxaithong district, by a local enterprise in collaboration with a foreign company.

The plant will cost around 96 billion kip (US$12 million) and will be completed at the end of 2017.

There are also plans for the expansion of a water supply plant from 20-40,000 cubic metres per day in Dongbang village, Xaythany district, which is currently under survey.

Also slated is the expansion of the plant at Chinaimo from 80-120,000 cubic metres per day.

The project is expected to be finished by 2020, with construction to be funded through a loan from the Japanese government.

Source: Vientiane Times