Partnerships driving a sustainable water future in Cambodia
by Water Source
Access to clean, reliable water is a challenge shared by communities across the world. While the contexts may differ, the goal remains the same: delivering safe and sustainable water services for everyone.
That shared purpose sits at the heart of the Cambodia–Australia Water Partnership Program, led by the Australian Water Association (AWA) in collaboration with Cambodian partners Svay Rieng Water Utility (SRWU), Steung Treng Water Utility (STWU), and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), with support from the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED).
The program brings together Australian and Cambodian water professionals to exchange knowledge, strengthen operational capability, and support long-term climate resilience across the water sector.
Australian partners including Busselton Water, Townsville City Council and Veolia are working directly with Cambodian utilities through study tours, technical workshops, mentoring, and peer-to-peer collaboration focused on practical solutions and shared learning.
As Townsville City Council Water Quality Officer Trish Knavel highlighted in the newly released partnership video linked above:
“We all have similar risks to our drinking water systems and catchments. [The difference] is just based on resources that we have to mitigate those risks, which is why I find this partnership incredibly important."
The program recognises that while Cambodia and Australia may face different operating environments, many of the underlying water challenges are remarkably similar, particularly for regional and rapidly growing communities.
As CEO of Busselton Water David Hughes-Owen reflected on the shared motivation driving the collaboration:
“The things that we're all trying to achieve are the same things, which is clean water for our customers."
His Excellency Oum Sot (Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation) commented the program “provides benefits for ongoing training, knowledge sharing and learning from experience.”
Beyond technical outcomes, the partnership is helping build long-term professional relationships and creating opportunities for continued collaboration between utilities, governments, and water professionals across the region.
Through CAPRED’s support and the commitment of all program partners, the initiative is contributing to more resilient water services, stronger sector capability, and improved outcomes for communities across Cambodia.
Watch the partnership video here: https://youtu.be/3sv5VPX2zns?si=FAWRYHO5g8IxxDz5
If you would like to hear more about the partnership and meet some of the program participants, join us at the International Stream at Ozwater’26 on Wednesday 27 May.
