Pakse, Champasak Province, November 11, 2025, GGGI Lao PDR officially handed over a set of newly established wastewater treatment facilities to the local government following two years of construction. The infrastructure includes four Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS) and one Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP). These systems were constructed as part of GGGI’s “Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Capacity Building Project for City Environment Improvement in Lao PDR”. The project was implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) and the local government in Pakse City and funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The handover ceremony was co-chaired by the Vice Governor of Champasak Province, H.E. Somboun Haeungvongsa; Vice Minister of Public Works and Transport, H.E. Detsongkham Thammavong; the Mayor of Pakse City, Mr. Soukvisay Sisomvang; Country Director of KOICA, Mr. Sungsoo Oh; and Ms. Dagmar Zwebe, Country Representative of GGGI Lao PDR. Representatives from different governmental departments, village Leaders, and other project stakeholders including representatives from BORDA, Sengmixay and Uniqtek attended this ceremony.

Pakse is one of the major economic centers in southern Lao PDR, home to approximately 105,000 residents, generating around 16.4 million liters per day of wastewater. Previously, most wastewater was released untreated into the Mekong River, posing environmental risks and affecting downstream communities who rely on the river for daily use.

The four DEWATS are strategically located near Pakse, Thong, Phonkoung and Phabath villages, designed to treat wastewater generated from households and businesses and serve around 9000 residents of the villages. These systems help remove contaminants and ensure effluent quality aligns with environmental standards before being discharged back into natural waterways, including the Mekong River. Previously, most wastewater was released untreated into the Mekong River, posing environmental risks and affecting downstream communities who rely on the river for daily use.

The Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) located in Sanasomboon District, Champasak Province, serves as an essential complement to the DEWATS network by treating sludge and wastewater from onsite sanitation systems, particularly in households that are not connected to sewer systems. Through a systematic treatment process, these facilities safely convert fecal waste into organic resources that can be reused in agricultural applications. This not only reduces environmental pollution but also supports resource recovery and promotes circular economic practices. Currently, the treatment plant is accessible to around 90,000 residents of Pakse City and Sanasomboon district.

Together, the DEWATS and FSTPs are expected to significantly improve public health and environmental sanitation in Pakse, serving the population of Pakse City. The initiative also represents a key milestone in advancing the city’s green transition and supports Lao PDR’s broader goal of sustainable development and improving climate resilience.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Key Statements from the Ceremony Chairs          

The Mayor of Pakse, Mr. Soukvisay Sisomvang, expressed the city’s pride in operating the new facilities. He stated: “I’m pleased, on behalf of Pakse City, that we are officially receiving the four new DEWATS and the FSTP. These systems are more than just technical infrastructure; they represent our commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city of Pakse. As the Mayor, I am committed to ensuring that Pakse takes full ownership of these facilities. We will work closely with the communities, the private sector, and all stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness of the infrastructure we have received today.”

Building on this, the Vice Governor of Champasak Province, H.E. Somboun Haeungvongsa, highlighted the long-term importance of sustainability and financial management of these systems. He stated: “The systems will serve thousands of local people and help improve sanitation and the environment of the city, contributing to the goals of the Green City Action Plan. However, we all know that this is just the beginning, and we acknowledge that management and maintenance are key responsibilities. Therefore, I would like to emphasize the importance of regulations and tariffs. These are not optional, but essential to sustain the operational expense.”

Following this, the Vice Minister of Public Works and Transport, H.E. Detsongkham Thammavong, emphasized the need for strong local commitment. He expressed: “Today’s celebration is not only a celebration of the project that we have concluded. Instead, it marks the beginning of a long journey for our future. Now that we have the facilities (DEWATS and FSTP) set up, the next step is the need for strong commitment from the local government to manage operations and sustain the positive impacts of these facilities on the communities. Therefore, I would like to request the Department of Public Works and Transport of Champasak and the relevant authorities to fully take responsibility to ensure continuous operation, proper maintenance, and fair management, as well as to build strong understanding within the communities about the importance of this service and their support for the project.”

Adding a donor’s perspective, KOICA Country Director, Mr. Sungsoo Oh, used a powerful analogy to emphasize local ownership. He shared: “To me, these facilities are like babies (young systems) that need care and support from parents (ownership) to function well. And the parents cannot be anyone else except the local government and the operator in Pakse. As a representative of KOICA, the project donor, I look to the Pakse authorities to take responsibility for managing and maintaining these facilities, so they can continue to benefit the communities.”

Ms. Dagmar Zwebe, GGGI Country Representative, reflected on the teamwork and persistence that made the achievement possible. She stated: “Getting here was not easy. It took years of planning, coordination, and problem-solving. We’ve conducted feasibility studies, developed engineering designs, secured land, built regulations, trained operators, and engaged communities. And today, we celebrate the result of all that hard work.”