A new study published on Thursday has estimated the high cost of using the Kamchay hydropower dam in Kampot province to produce clean water for Kampot and Kep provinces.
The feasibility study was jointly conducted by China Energy Engineering Corporation and Power China Cambodia of Sinohydrod and was presented to the Industry Ministry last week. According to officials, it will take a long time to get clean water to both Kampot and Kep provinces.
The conclusion came after the second study for the project was completed.
Industry Ministry spokesman Um Sotha said the estimated production cost in the feasibility study was more than $100 million.
The high cost meant that the government must seek other ways to bring clean water to the provinces.
“We welcome the result of feasibility study, but the production cost is high,” Mr Sotha said.
“When the production cost is high, the water tariff will also be high, so this is not our goal.
“Our goal is to let people have clean water at the right price. If it is high, we will look for other ways.”
The project aimed to use 15 to 25 million cubic metres a year from the Kamchay dam to supply the coastal tourist areas of Kampot and Kep.
