The community-based WASH project in Xieng Ngeun targets 1,221 households across six villages. Leveraging the town’s topography to deliver water efficiently without the need for energy-intensive pumping systems, a key component of the initiative was developing a gravity-fed piped water system. This approach and revolving funds for community-managed sanitation improvements, successfully provided household connections to over 90% of households in the target villages to the water supply network, up from 0%. The project also emphasized community involvement, where residents were trained to protect and maintain the water supply infrastructure, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the resources.
Demonstrate how a community can work with a water supply entity to acquire safe water and adequate sanitation that meet its needs
Demonstrate pro-poor water connection charges and tariffs
Improve community awareness of environmental sanitation
Enhance the capacity of WSE and local artisans
Xieng Ngeun, a town in the mountainous terrain of Luang Prabang Province in Northern Lao PDR, sits nearly 400 meters above sea level. Steep slopes, remote locations, and a sparse population density, typical of many mountainous areas, characterize the region. These factors contribute to significant challenges in providing basic services, including water supply and sanitation, which have historically been inadequate. Before the intervention, villagers often had to walk long distances to collect water, which was frequently contaminated, leading to widespread health issues like diarrhea. Furthermore, 15% of households had no access to basic sanitation facilities, and the existing infrastructure was inoperative due to neglect.
