Kep: The Kep Provincial Administration has issued an urgent notice to a local water supply company in Damnak Chang Eur district, instructing them to halt the pumping of water from the main reservoir at Phnom Vly Dam due to severe drought conditions. With rising temperatures and the onset of the dry season, significant water sources such as ponds, streams, and lakes have dried up, prompting immediate conservation measures.

The directive from the Kep Provincial Administration comes amidst concerns that the continued drawing of water from the dwindling reservoir could exacerbate the scarcity. The water company, which currently serves clean water to 512 families, representing 10% of the population across 9 of the 11 villages in the district, is now faced with the challenge of securing an alternative water supply.

Pheak Sokhen, Director of the Department of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation of Kep Province, addressed the issue on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. He revealed the impact of the suspension on over 500 families reliant on the clean water supply. Sokhen has urged the company, operated by Ms. Vong Sophoan, to collaborate with the Damnak Chang Eur district administration to alert customers and to explore emergency water storage solutions such as digging ponds or wells.

The provincial administration and relevant departments have been mobilized to assist in identifying new water sources. These efforts may include tapping into reserves managed by other entities already established in the area.

Khy Neang, Director of the Kep Provincial Department of Water Resources and Meteorology, provided some reassurance, indicating that while reservoir levels have declined sharply, agricultural activities have not yet been adversely affected. He noted that alternative water sources within certain regions remain sufficient for irrigating crops, mitigating immediate concerns for local farmers.

The water crisis in Kep Province highlights the broader challenges of climate change and resource management, prompting both governmental and community responses to navigate the implications of environmental shifts.