Water treatment plant

The project involves the design/construction of a drinking water supply system with a capacity of 15,000 m3 per day and includes the construction of a drinking water treatment plant and the installation of a 6.5km cast-iron distribution pipeline with a diameter of 700 mm.

Background

In Siem Reap, only 16% of the population is connected to the drinking-water network, the majority of which is supplied through unregulated private boreholes that have a significant impact on the level of the water table. The withdrawal of water through these boreholes could eventually lower the water table, posing a risk of ground movement that could compromise the stability of the temples of Angkor, located close to the city. It is therefore necessary to replace unregulated private boreholes with a publicly-controlled surface water supply.

The project contributes to the improvement of the living conditions of the population of Siem Reap and to the preservation of the environment and water resources. The goals are as follows: to improve and develop the population’s water supply through the construction of new infrastructure, and to contribute to the sustainable and efficient management of the water service by strengthening the independence and the technical and financial capacities of SRWSA, the local water authority.

Technical Overview

One of the main challenges of this project was the very short 14-month implementation period. This forced our teams to draw up an extremely rigorous schedule.

The project also called for the introduction of strict environmental safeguards and seamless cooperation with all stakeholders to obtain the necessary permits for the project to be carried out near a particularly sensitive world heritage site.

Technical problems associated with the monsoon season also had to be solved, as this period of intense rainfall causes a seasonal rise in the water table, which makes the construction of underground infrastructure (pipes, foundations, etc.) particularly difficult.

«Working on a project that not only improves local living conditions but also forms part of the strategy that seeks to protect the temples of Angkor boosted the motivation of the project teams,» Thomas Savary, Project Director

Impact

The Siem Reap region has approximately 200,000 inhabitants, but this population can double in size at certain times with the arrival of tourists attracted by an exceptional archaeological site: the temples of Angkor. The region has also developed significantly thanks to the construction of local hotels and restaurants, and a booming economy.

With this project, VINCI Construction Grands Projets accelerates access to drinking water in this region while limiting the impact that private boreholes could have on the water table and, indirectly, on the stability of the temples of Angkor.

Project participants

Project owner:
SRWSA (Siem Reap Water Supply Authority)

Project manager:
Safège

Execution dates:
October 2017 to January 2019

Key figures

Earthworks:
11,100 m3 (backfill for platform)

Concrete:
2,500 m3

Steel:
290 tonnes