Facts and Figures #28: PHNOM PENH’S LAKES: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Cambodia’s government has sanctioned the sale of Phnom Penh’s lakes and, as evidenced by the high profile case of Boeung Kak Lake, this has been linked with lake filling and loss of Phnom Penh’s water systems. This practice is understood – through news reports and anecdotal evidence from former residents of affected lakes – to be widespread, raising concerns about the impact on Phnom Penh’s natural drainage systems and flood risk. However until now there has been no comprehensive analysis of how urban development has impacted on Phnom Penh’s Lakes.
In 2015 STT’s Research Team undertook a study of the current status of 25 lakes in Phnom Penh. This study found that 15 have been filled in, representing a loss of 60% of Phnom Penh’s lake systems. A further eight lakes have been partially filled in, and another has become shallower as a result of waste water and garbage emptied into this area. Overall, this demonstrates that Phnom Penh’s urban development is having a significant impact on the water systems in this region.

Facts and Figures #28: PHNOM PENH’S LAKES:  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

provides details information about the lakes in Phnom Penh.

You can find report in PDF here.

More information:
Mr. Ee Sarom, Executive Director of Sahmakum Teang Tnaut Organization
E-mail: sarom@teangtnaut.org
Tel : (+855) 12 836 533
Ms.Rebecca Linton (Eng), STT Program Advisor
E-mail: rebecca@teangtnaut.org
Tel : (+855) 16 655 146