The scene of action is the Khoualuang Temple in the heart of Vientiane Capital. Already two years ago, a study about “Improvement of Water Environment in Vientiane City” identified this area as notably suitable for implementing a Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Solution (DEWATS). As a result, Khoualuang Primary School was identified for the first pilot project to improve the water environment going into the highly polluted drainage channels.

Almost two years later, LIRE-BORDA is about to construct of their 7th DEWATS plant in Lao PDR in line with the Lao Pilot Program for Narrowing the Development Gap towards ASEAN Integration (LPP Project). The LPP Project aims for the collaboration between private and public sectors to make an appropriate and sustainable use of nature, culture and history. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting these joint efforts for improved sanitation within the sub-program “Clean, Green, Beautiful, Model Community” and is covering all of the implementation costs.

For LIRE-BORDA it is the second joint DEWATS project with JICA. This implementation will connect the Khoualuang Temple, the house of the monks and their school, as well as a further 16 households to a Decentralised Wastewater treatment system (DEWATS). Of course, this project will not only contain a working plan for the technical implementation but far more than just that. Specific attention will be paid to the social component of the DEWATS approach with community meetings, sanitation & hygiene education at the school from the temple as well as Health impact assessments (HIA) to measure the impact within the LPP Project.

LIRE-BORDA has experienced very good cooperation with JICA at Khoualuang Primary School and is now looking forward to implementing another DEWATS plant for clean, green, beautiful communities near-by Khoualuang Temple in Vientiane Capital. The contract for a joint cooperation development is signed; the first community meeting is conducted and the last technical adjustments are completed. The initial ground breaking ceremony for the project will be on 23rd December 2011 and marks the start sign for the 7th DEWATS plant in Lao PDR for “improved sanitation for all”.