Villagers in Borikhan district, Borikhamxay province, could soon have a new 24hour drinking water supply system and better access to safe water, according to the Korea Water Resources Corporation.

The agency is providing a grant of about US$2 million to construct a water treatment plant with a capacity of 1,900m3/day for 14,000 people in seven villages.

These are Sisavath, Nahene, Vatthath, Simoungkhoune, Phonsy, Done and Xiengtome villages near the Nam Xan River.

The project will help improve the accessibility, quality, reliability, and sustainability of water supply services in those villages by developing new water sources and constructing optimal-size water supply systems using appropriate

technologies.

Last week a meeting to review the results of a detailed project design took place at the Provincial Department of public Works and Transport in Pakxan district.

This meeting was attended by Deputy Governor of Borikhamxay province Leuam Sonsivilay, Resident Representative of KOICA in Laos Sung Choon-Ki, Korea Water Resources Corporation(K-water) and many others concerned with the project."By providing a safe and reliable water supply and improving sanitation, the project will directly improve the health and living conditions of the town's communities. Their economies will also benefit from better productivity as a result of health improvements and time saved in collecting water"Mr Sung said at the meeting.
 

"The provision of safe water for villagers currently suffering from the effects of dirty water is one of our top priorities and KOICA is considering supporting more water related projects for other regions in the near future."The design will be completed in June this year and construction work is expected to start in August. K-water, the supervising consultants appointed by KOICA, will manage the finalisation of the project, which is due for completion in September 2009.