WaterWorX - Luang Namtha (Laos)

Integrated water resources management for better drinking water, sanitation and climate action

Background

In Lao PDR, water supply services are provided by public water utilities (known as ‘Nam Papa’ ) for urban areas. Each of the 17 provinces has a Nam Papa (PNP). Since 2017, World Waternet and PNP Luang Namtha collaborate in a Water Operators’ Partnership under the WaterWorX programme. The project is coordinated in close contact with Lao PDR’s Department of Water Supply (DWS) under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT).  The country made large progress in terms of basic drinking water service coverage and basic sanitation and hygiene services, but large challenges remain. Furthermore, while Lao PDR is a water rich country, climate change and seasonal extremes pose a challenge for the water sector. 

Our objectives

Our partnership aims to contribute to improved access to drinking water for 85,000 people in Luang Namhta and 1 million people in Laos.

• Support PNP Luang Namtha to becoming more financially and operationally resilient
• Collaborate with the Department of Water Supply to coordinate activities in line with national strategies
• Facilitate local autonomy amongst PNP Lao PDR through Community of Practice based on knowledge exchange
• Enable finance through identifying priority investments and connecting PNP to funders regarding climate resilience and operational improvements.
• Engage with other development partners to increase impact

Activities

• Countrywide GIS training supported by the newly made manual and under guidance of the most experienced PNP, knowledge on the subject will be distributed to other PNP through the train-the-trainer principle.
• Training on NRW strategies, leakage detection via District Metered Areas (DMAs), water balances and optimizing the current operation and maintenance activities. Knowledge, experience and equipment will be shared through the newly established community of practice in the northern provinces.
• Training for operators in optimization of the treatment process in Luang Namtha. Starting points are increasing monitoring capacity, energy efficiency and smart use of data, resources and chemicals.

Updating the climate adaptation plan in Luang Namtha, with a focus on resilience of infrastructure, protection of water sources and risks of mud streams. This will be used to investigate possibilities for further investments and collaboration with other stakeholders.

Results

• Use of the same GIS model in all provinces through the train-the-trainer principle
• Creation of a GIS manual by the local GIS experts
• NRW reduction in PNP Luang Namtha
• Acquirement of additional funding for small scale equipment to help reduce NRW
• The production of "the climate adaptation and water supply plan" for Luang Namtha, highlighting risks, system analysis and a first draft for adaptation strategies.
• Capacity development and increased independence of the staff of the utilities