In the upland villages of Northwest Cambodia, the struggle for clean and reliable water has long shaped daily life. Most families have depended on seasonal streams and small ponds that dry up each year. When that happens, water must be bought from truck vendors costing households between 20,000 and 60,000 riel (US$5–15) a week. For smallholder farmers, these expenses eat into already limited incomes. “When the ponds dried, we had no choice but to buy water,” recalled one farmer. “It was costly, and not everyone could afford it.”
“Before, we worried about water every day. Now we can live cleanly and plan for the future.”
The lack of clean water affected far more than convenience. It limited food production, strained household budgets, and led to frequent skin and stomach ailments. As one farmer shared, “I had to divide what little we had — part for water, part for school, and part for food.” Water scarcity was not just a daily hardship; it was a barrier to progress.
Solar-powered wells bring lasting change
To address these challenges, the Next-Gen project installed six solar-powered deep wells across four upland villages, providing year round access to clean groundwater. The initiative aimed to ease the burden of water collection, especially for women and children, and to explore whether reliable water access could strengthen agricultural livelihoods.
Each well, managed by a village water committee, serves multiple households. This community model promotes fair access, shared responsibility, and long-term sustainability. Although designed for household use, many families soon began using the water for home gardens and small livestock. “The well near my house saves me so much time,” said one woman. “Now I can focus on farming and caring for my children.”
Solar-powered deep well provides year-round, no-cost water and saves time for farm families. Shared access has eased daily workloads and improved hygiene and wellbeing across the village. Photo Credits: Sophanara Phan.
The ripple effect of clean water
The wells quickly reshaped local economies. Families no longer spend money on trucked water, saving an average of US$5–15 weekly — funds now redirected to food, education, and farm investment. “The money I used to spend on water, I now use for my children’s education,” said a farmer. Another added, “Now we can buy fertiliser and feed for our animals.”
With water available year round, households began cultivating vegetables and raising livestock. One farmer planted 500 cabbages; others expanded pig and poultry production. These small ventures improved diets, diversified incomes, and strengthened resilience against seasonal hardship. “Having clean water gives us strength to work and care for our farms better,” a farmer explained. “Our pigs and chickens stay healthy too.”
Health improvements followed. Families reported fewer skin irritations and illnesses, and greater comfort in daily life. As one villager put it, “Before, we worried about water every day. Now we can live cleanly and plan for the future.”
Access to clean, year-round water enables smallholders to grow vegetables, raise livestock, and strengthen women’s economic participation in rural communities. Photo credits: Sophanara Phan and Panhaleak Chay
Lessons and insights
The experience shows how access to clean water can catalyse rural transformation. By removing one of the heaviest recurring costs, the wells unlocked new possibilities for investment and productivity. Families living nearest the wells adopted home gardens and small-scale farming most rapidly, underscoring the importance of equitable access and thoughtful siting.
Community management has been key. Water-use committees maintain the wells, manage schedules, and ensure fair distribution. “It’s a shared resource,” said one farmer. “We all benefit when it’s well maintained.” The participatory model not only secures sustainability but also builds social cooperation and ownership.
A foundation for the future
What began as a solution to water scarcity has become a gateway to agricultural development. Reliable, solar-powered water access has allowed families to grow vegetables, raise livestock, and reinvest in their farms. Women, freed from long hours of water collection, now have more time for childcare, rest, and income generating work. The wells have become symbols of opportunity and confidence.
“The well brings more than water. It brings peace of mind and the ability to plan for the future.”
By linking clean water with livelihood opportunities, the project demonstrates how simple, community driven innovations can build resilience and prosperity across Cambodia’s upland communities.