Japan-backed Phnom Penh water projects improve drainage and irrigation
Drainage and irrigation works affect flood risk, farms and families across the capital’s southwest.
Wednesday 4 November · 06:02 · 1 min read
In 30 seconds
- Japan-backed flood-control and drainage projects in Phnom Penh ran through four phases from 2001 to 2021. [2]
- Officials said 12 pumps can move about 43 cubic metres of water per second in the southern capital area. [2]
- A separate $200 million Japan-backed irrigation project in southwest Phnom Penh has entered its final phase. [1]
What happened
Japan supported four phases of flood protection and drainage improvements in Phnom Penh between 2001 and 2021, including construction of the Boeng Tumpun pumping station. A Phnom Penh public works official said 12 pumps in the southern capital area can pump about 43 cubic metres of water per second after additional pumps were installed, a project completed in 2025. Separately, a $200 million Japan-backed irrigation project in southwest Phnom Penh has entered its final phase and is planned to serve more than 10,000 hectares of farmland and over 4,000 families.
Why it matters
The drainage projects are intended to reduce rainwater flooding, while the new irrigation project is planned to support farms and families. The reports do not give measured results for the irrigation project, which is still in its final phase.
Background
The four flood-control phases covered areas including southwest, central and northeastern Phnom Penh, as well as areas near Wat Phnom and Tuol Kouk. Fresh News reported that JICA-supported pumps and municipal pumps together had a capacity of about 31 cubic metres per second before two additional pumps were installed.
Key terms
- Irrigation
- Supplying water to farmland to help crops grow.
- JICA
- Japan International Cooperation Agency, which supports development projects.
Timeline
- 2001–2004 The first flood-control phase built the Boeng Tumpun pumping station.
- 2005–2010 The second phase improved drainage in southwest, central and northeastern Phnom Penh.
- 2011–2015 The third phase improved drainage in southeastern Phnom Penh.
- 2016–2021 The fourth phase helped reduce rainwater flooding near Wat Phnom and in Tuol Kouk.
- 2025 Two additional pumps were installed in the southern capital area, according to Fresh News.
Sources (2)
[1] Khmer Times Japan-backed $200M irrigation project enters final phase 4 Nov Read original [2] Fresh News គម្រោងការពារទឹកជំនន់ជប៉ុន រួមចំណែកកាត់បន្ថយជំនន់ទឹកភ្លៀងនៅភ្នំពេញយ៉ាងមានប្រសិទ្ធភាព 3 Nov Read originalWas this explainer clear?
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