On 24 March 2026, Chun Puthearith, Director General of the General Department of Technical Affairs and head of the project inspection unit at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, led a technical team to inspect and assess progress on routine maintenance works (Phase 1) and periodic maintenance works on major irrigation systems in Svay Rieng and Prey Veng provinces. The mission was conducted on behalf of Water Resources and Meteorology Minister Thor Chetha.
The inspection covered four priority sites involving irrigation rehabilitation, embankment maintenance, pumping station repairs, and the upkeep of associated hydraulic structures intended to support water delivery, distribution, and flood protection.
Background
The field mission formed part of MOWRAM’s project monitoring and technical oversight activities for irrigation system maintenance. According to the ministry, the works reviewed were aimed at sustaining the functionality of key irrigation and flood protection systems in the two provinces.
Scope of Application
The inspection and assessment covered four systems:
- O Sarngam irrigation system
- Kampong Chrey irrigation system
- Kampong Trabek flood protection and irrigation system
- Vaiko irrigation system (Phase 1)
These projects are located in Svay Rieng and Prey Veng provinces and involve canals, embankments, pumping stations, and related civil works structures.
Key Provisions or Decisions
At the O Sarngam irrigation system, works included rehabilitation of five main, secondary, and feeder canals with a total length of 6,620 metres, as well as repair and construction of 10 new hydraulic structures and installation of 10 additional slope protection structures. MOWRAM reported overall implementation progress at approximately 60%.
At the Kampong Chrey irrigation system, the works focused on repair and maintenance of a 21,290-metre embankment, two main canals with a total length of 15,730 metres, and 15 small and large hydraulic structures.
At the Kampong Trabek flood protection and irrigation system, the works included repair of six pumping stations, maintenance of a 36,000-metre river embankment, maintenance of eight main canals extending more than 35,000 metres in total, and upkeep of 123 hydraulic structures.
At the Vaiko irrigation system (Phase 1), the works covered maintenance of two main water conveyance canals with a total length of 93,728 metres, along with maintenance of 116 small and large hydraulic structures to support effective water transmission and distribution.
During the mission, the Director General commended the reported progress and instructed technical teams to continue applying technical standards carefully to ensure construction quality, safety, and durability. He also urged acceleration of the remaining works to meet water-use needs and natural disaster prevention requirements in a timely manner.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The update indicates continued government maintenance of irrigation and flood protection infrastructure in two agricultural provinces. For agribusinesses, water users, contractors, and local stakeholders, the projects are relevant as operational public infrastructure works affecting water delivery, distribution efficiency, and flood management capacity.
Official Source
Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), Facebook post published on 24 March 2026.
