Transforming lives with safe water

Asian Trails’ partnership with an NGO to bring clean drinking water to rural communities in Cambodia, where many households lack access to safe water, continues to transform lives.

The availability of safe drinking water remains a significant challenge in many areas. Water sources are often contaminated by pollutants such as naturally occurring arsenic, making them unsafe for consumption. Poor sanitation further compounds the problem, with waste from both humans and animals near waterways allowing diseases to spread rapidly through communities.

To address these issues, Asian Trails partnered with Water for Cambodia (WFC), a non-profit organisation, providing funding for the installation of biosand water filters (BSFs) in villages across Siem Reap Province.

WFC identified many households that used contaminated water for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing. The water was found to contain E. coli, protozoa, worm larvae, viruses and bacteria, resulting not only in disease but also stunting and malnutrition in children. WFC also reported that many villagers who consumed contaminated water suffered from skin diseases, diarrhoea and stomach complaints.

With Asian Trails’ financial support, WFC initially supplied BSFs to residents of Kouk Srok village, located 23 km from Siem Reap city, making it the first village to receive the filters.

These devices are a simple, low-cost water treatment system that use layers of sand and gravel, together with naturally occurring biological processes, to remove contaminants. Multiple clinical trials have shown the filters to remove over 99 per cent of harmful bacteria from contaminated sources.

After receiving a BSF, 41-year-old Mrs Seyha said: “It’s truly amazing to have our filter because it helps a lot. We can use the water for cooking, washing the kids’ school uniforms and, most importantly, we now have safe drinking water every day.

“Since we started using filtered water, our health has greatly improved and we no longer visit the doctor as often as before.”

Nearby resident 67-year-old Mrs Ly said: “There is nothing more convenient than this small family-sized BSF. It’s a machine that doesn’t require electricity. It provides clean water that can be consumed with confidence.”

Previously, the Samnang family of six had to ask neighbours for water or rely on an untreated supply. Since receiving a unit, 43 year-old Mrs Samnang said: “Having a dependable source of clean water at home, without needing to borrow or worry about getting clean water has eased one more daily burden for us.

“The filter now provides enough clean water each day for our use, helping to protect my husband’s health as he works long hours in construction, and my children’s health as they focus on their studies.”

This feedback reveals how the BSF project has positively impacted the well-being of families in small, rural communities. Besides the health benefits, the BSFs have saved time and money, as users do not need to boil water, buy bottles or travel to clinics for treatment and pay for medicines.

BSFs are highly efficient as they can serve a family for 10 to 15 years, meaning a single filter can support not just a family today, but also their children as they continue their education and grow into adulthood with a reliable supply of safe water.

This development project is a work in progress as Asian Trails’ guests can participate in meaningful, hands-on corporate social responsibility and MICE activities that directly support clean water initiatives.

In May 2026, Asian Trails Cambodia Managing Director Virginie Kury joined 90 people from multiple countries, including China, France, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Spain, in a CSR activity organised in partnership with WFC. Held in Kok Tnoat village, near Siem Reap city, the initiative provided 45 BSFs to needy families.

The day began with an introduction to the project, followed by a practical demonstration on the installation of BSFs. Participants were then divided into small teams and assigned to households throughout the village to install the filters and ensure that each family understood how to use and maintain them.

Suitable for groups of up to 300 participants, this CSR programme combines teamwork with tangible social impact, providing a meaningful opportunity to engage with local communities while contributing to positive change.

One South Korean participant, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Seeing the actual living conditions, not through a description or a photograph, but in person, made me realise how important this intervention is. After we had erected the sand filter, a sudden, heavy tropical downpour descended on us. I was already soaked through with sweat but none of this mattered.

“When I looked up and saw the lady of the house smiling, that wide, unguarded smile of someone who has just been given something she truly needed, I felt something I have no better word for than – full! This is the kind of moment ordinary life rarely offers. I am grateful to have experienced this interaction.”

Asian Trails is committed to making a difference through travel by giving back to host communities. To find out more about our responsible travel programmes and sustainable approaches, please access our Responsible Travel page.

As always, our team remains ready to help create tailor-made tour programmes, including similar rewarding experiences. Please contact our team at Asian Trails Cambodia.