Jun. 2, 2010
In recognition of its world class performance in water supply and self-sufficiency, the Cambodian Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) under the leadership of General Director Ek Sonn Chan has been named the winner of the Stockholm Industry Water Award 2010.
For background facts, translations and photos see: http://www.siwi.org/siwa2010
Historically, the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, thrived by the rivers of Tonle Sap and the Mekong. However, decades of conflicts left the water supply system running low until the 1990s. In 1993 Mr. Ek Sonn Chan was appointed as General Director of the city’s Water Supply Authority (PPWSA). Together with his team, he managed to refurbish the whole supply system, introduce cost-effective billing and payment collection methods, as well as world class management to provide water to almost all of the city’s residents.
“The PPWSA has successfully fought corruption and shown this can be achieved in a developing country on a large-scale basis using simple but effective management techniques that are based on well-accepted business principles and strategies. As a self-sufficient company, operating without subsidies from the state, PPWSA today provides 24-hour service and 90 per cent coverage to a city of 1.3 million and fully recovers its costs as it continues to develop both its infrastructure and management,” said the International Award Jury in its citation. The PPWSA will receive the award during the World Water Week in Stockholm 2010, September 5-11.
A new drive towards a better future
Accepting the award on behalf of PPWSA, Mr. Ek Sonn Chan said the Stockholm Industry Water Award puts his organisation in the same league as other world class water industry organisations, reinforcing their drive towards achieving future objectives. “My team is encouraged by this prestigious award to carry on our mission to increase our collection efficiency, improve water regulation, and deliver affordable water to the poor. We will continue to work to provide water continuously for a price affordable by our society through good management and cost-recovery practices and despite increases in electricity and other costs,” he said.
In 1998, the PPWSA provided clean drinking water to all households in the city area. By 2008, its customer base had increased nine folds which lead to higher profitability. Water losses due to leakages in pipes and pumps declined from 72 per cent in 1993 to 6 per cent by 2008, which is very low in an international comparison. Meanwhile, the bill collection ratio reached over 98 percent - which improved the PPWSA’s costs-recovery. Today, the authority meets international standards as it provides leading edge services to its customers.
According to Mr. Ek Sonn Chan, the road ahead is full of ambition. “Our future goals pave a challenging road ahead, as we aim to expand water provision at the same rates and standards to Phnom Penh’s suburban areas and surrounding regions. We’re working on reducing water loss from current 5.9 percent to 4 percent by 2020, which would place us in the same league as Singapore and Tokyo. We will continue to improve the efficiency of our staff and revision practices as we work towards providing water at a cheaper price.”
Developing nations can achieve more
The PPWSA was supported by international donors in its efforts to reach where it is today. However, it managed to become entirely self-sustainable as it benchmarked itself against the best operators in both developing and developed nations. PPWSA’s work has contributed to visible improvements in public health and a reduction of constraints to industrial, social and economic developments in Cambodia’s capital.
“The PPWSA has a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. It has shown the developing world as a whole that large cities can expect continuous access to clean water. It stands as a role model for those committed to improving their business practices and increasing their level of service to customers. The PPWSA has now taken on the challenge to improve Phnom Penh’s sanitation system, and is also scheduled for an initial public offering on Cambodia’s new stock exchange later this year,” said the Jury in its citation.
Mr. Ek Sonn Chan is proud of the PPWSA’s achievement. “We provided an important role model for the development of our nation, Cambodia, which helped improve the country’s image internationally after decades of strife and conflict. Developing nations must believe in their own people’s capabilities to achieve their own goals,” he said.
About the Stockholm Industry Water Award
The Stockholm Industry Water Award recognises the business sector's contribution to sustainable water management, by minimising water consumption and environmental impact. It is given to any sector of business and industry. It recognises improved performance in production processes, new products, and management, as well as innovative approaches in water and wastewater process technologies which together help to improve the world water situation. The Award was established in 2000 by the Stockholm Water Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. It is administered by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
SIWI - Independent, Leading-Edge Water Competence for Future-Oriented Action
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that contributes to international efforts to combat the world's escalating water crisis. SIWI develops and promotes future-oriented and knowledge–integrated policies, towards sustainable use of the world’s water resources leading to sustainable development and poverty eradication.
In recognition of its world class performance in water supply and self-sufficiency, the Cambodian Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) under the leadership of General Director Ek Sonn Chan has been named the winner of the Stockholm Industry Water Award 2010.
For background facts, translations and photos see: http://www.siwi.org/siwa2010
Historically, the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, thrived by the rivers of Tonle Sap and the Mekong. However, decades of conflicts left the water supply system running low until the 1990s. In 1993 Mr. Ek Sonn Chan was appointed as General Director of the city’s Water Supply Authority (PPWSA). Together with his team, he managed to refurbish the whole supply system, introduce cost-effective billing and payment collection methods, as well as world class management to provide water to almost all of the city’s residents.
“The PPWSA has successfully fought corruption and shown this can be achieved in a developing country on a large-scale basis using simple but effective management techniques that are based on well-accepted business principles and strategies. As a self-sufficient company, operating without subsidies from the state, PPWSA today provides 24-hour service and 90 per cent coverage to a city of 1.3 million and fully recovers its costs as it continues to develop both its infrastructure and management,” said the International Award Jury in its citation. The PPWSA will receive the award during the World Water Week in Stockholm 2010, September 5-11.
A new drive towards a better future
Accepting the award on behalf of PPWSA, Mr. Ek Sonn Chan said the Stockholm Industry Water Award puts his organisation in the same league as other world class water industry organisations, reinforcing their drive towards achieving future objectives. “My team is encouraged by this prestigious award to carry on our mission to increase our collection efficiency, improve water regulation, and deliver affordable water to the poor. We will continue to work to provide water continuously for a price affordable by our society through good management and cost-recovery practices and despite increases in electricity and other costs,” he said.
In 1998, the PPWSA provided clean drinking water to all households in the city area. By 2008, its customer base had increased nine folds which lead to higher profitability. Water losses due to leakages in pipes and pumps declined from 72 per cent in 1993 to 6 per cent by 2008, which is very low in an international comparison. Meanwhile, the bill collection ratio reached over 98 percent - which improved the PPWSA’s costs-recovery. Today, the authority meets international standards as it provides leading edge services to its customers.
According to Mr. Ek Sonn Chan, the road ahead is full of ambition. “Our future goals pave a challenging road ahead, as we aim to expand water provision at the same rates and standards to Phnom Penh’s suburban areas and surrounding regions. We’re working on reducing water loss from current 5.9 percent to 4 percent by 2020, which would place us in the same league as Singapore and Tokyo. We will continue to improve the efficiency of our staff and revision practices as we work towards providing water at a cheaper price.”
Developing nations can achieve more
The PPWSA was supported by international donors in its efforts to reach where it is today. However, it managed to become entirely self-sustainable as it benchmarked itself against the best operators in both developing and developed nations. PPWSA’s work has contributed to visible improvements in public health and a reduction of constraints to industrial, social and economic developments in Cambodia’s capital.
“The PPWSA has a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. It has shown the developing world as a whole that large cities can expect continuous access to clean water. It stands as a role model for those committed to improving their business practices and increasing their level of service to customers. The PPWSA has now taken on the challenge to improve Phnom Penh’s sanitation system, and is also scheduled for an initial public offering on Cambodia’s new stock exchange later this year,” said the Jury in its citation.
Mr. Ek Sonn Chan is proud of the PPWSA’s achievement. “We provided an important role model for the development of our nation, Cambodia, which helped improve the country’s image internationally after decades of strife and conflict. Developing nations must believe in their own people’s capabilities to achieve their own goals,” he said.
About the Stockholm Industry Water Award
The Stockholm Industry Water Award recognises the business sector's contribution to sustainable water management, by minimising water consumption and environmental impact. It is given to any sector of business and industry. It recognises improved performance in production processes, new products, and management, as well as innovative approaches in water and wastewater process technologies which together help to improve the world water situation. The Award was established in 2000 by the Stockholm Water Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. It is administered by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
SIWI - Independent, Leading-Edge Water Competence for Future-Oriented Action
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that contributes to international efforts to combat the world's escalating water crisis. SIWI develops and promotes future-oriented and knowledge–integrated policies, towards sustainable use of the world’s water resources leading to sustainable development and poverty eradication.
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