Lao People's Democratic Republic : Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project

Sovereign Project | 45301-001

The Project will support expansion of systems by providing capital to well-performing provincial nam papas (PNPs or water supply utilities) who require financing for minor rehabilitation works to restore and improve a system's functionality and/or who have tried to access capital from commercial banks for expansion but were unsuccessful due to initial collateral requirements or repayment terms.

The Project will also improve the health of urban residents through a focus on improved sanitation and hygiene initiatives. In 2009, the impacts from poor sanitation and hygiene had cost the economy an estimated KN1.6 trillion ($193 million) per year, equivalent to 5.6% of its annual GDP and about KN280,000 ($34.40) per capita per year.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Jain, Anupma
    Southeast Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Water and other urban infrastructure and services

Related Projects

Project Name Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project
Project Number 45301-001
Country / Economy Lao People's Democratic Republic
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 8150-LAO: Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 800,000.00
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Sector / Subsector

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban water supply

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description

The Project will support expansion of systems by providing capital to well-performing provincial nam papas (PNPs or water supply utilities) who require financing for minor rehabilitation works to restore and improve a system's functionality and/or who have tried to access capital from commercial banks for expansion but were unsuccessful due to initial collateral requirements or repayment terms.

The Project will also improve the health of urban residents through a focus on improved sanitation and hygiene initiatives. In 2009, the impacts from poor sanitation and hygiene had cost the economy an estimated KN1.6 trillion ($193 million) per year, equivalent to 5.6% of its annual GDP and about KN280,000 ($34.40) per capita per year.

The Project will build on previous and ongoing subsector projects in Lao PDR. An external midterm review of the STWSP (footnote 6) assessed project performance against key lessons. The review found that (i) technology and design of the water supply systems have improved by adjusting to local conditions and capacity; (ii) strong Government and development partner commitment to support PNPs become corporate entities has improved their ability to sustain project infrastructure and benefits; (iii) increased community involvement in planning and design has resulted in prioritization of investments and ownership of assets; (iv) specific project intervention have helped to remove barrier to access for poor households and increase access to improved sanitation facilities. Data from an ongoing project shows that more than 95% of households in 12 towns have access to improved water supply and 97% of households had an improved sanitation facility. High coverage figures are being attributed to the project's prerequisite for households to have an improved sanitation facility in their homes prior to connecting to the water supply system.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The proposed Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (the Project) is expected to improve utility performance and expand access to safe piped water supply and sanitation for urban residents in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (the Lao PDR). The project will be financed by a sector loan as it meets the criteria in ADB's policy for sector lending. It will be designed in accordance with the Government of Lao PDR's (the Government) sector policy and investment plan in the urban water supply and sanitation. It will contribute to the Government's sector target of piped water supply to 80% and on-site sanitation to 90% of the urban population by 2020. It will provide capital investment for infrastructure development, while focusing on sector policy improvement in the areas of corporatization, non-revenue water management, water safety plans and asset management registry. It will implement the policy reforms put in place through the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (STWSP).

The Lao PDR's national water supply and sanitation targets for 2015 are 80% and 60%, respectively. Since 1995, the proportion of the 2010 population that gained access to improved water supply and sanitation increased by 36% and 50%, respectively. National coverage figures in 2010 were estimated at 67% and 63%, respectively. About 77% of the urban population in 2010 used an improved source for drinking water, of which piped services accounted for 55%. About 89% used an improved sanitation facility. Since 1990s, ADB has contributed to these national targets. ADB projects, some cofinanced by development partners, have financed about 39 new piped water supply systems and about three rehabilitated systems in the Lao PDR urban centers, improving access to nearly 300,000 people. An additional 12 water supply systems, including four systems for rehabilitation, are under construction or feasibility preparation.

In 2011, the Lao PDR population was estimated at 6.385 million. About 33% was classified as urban in about 150 designated urban centers in 145 districts. The estimated per capita gross domestic product reached $1281 in 2011. Poverty reduced to about 27.6% in 2008 and is projected to decline by 1% per annum with the current economic performance. Developing small district towns as key administrative and economic centers is an important step in improving the living conditions, strengthening the urban-rural linkages, generating employment and reducing regional income disparities. Infrastructure development and service delivery improvements in towns, particularly along the Greater Mekong Subregion transport corridors or in the vicinity of significant tourism attractions, help to transform them into economic and tourism hubs.

Impact
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services A firm will be engaged in accordance with ADB Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2010, as amended from time to time). A total of 11 positions and 40 person-months required (6 international specialists for 18 person-months and 5 national experts for 22 person-months). The firm will be recruited using quality and cost-based selection (90:10) using simplified technical proposal. Individual consultants may be hired during the TA to help complete unanticipated tasks and/or provide start-up support prior to loan effectiveness. The TA will adequately address the following aspects relating to the ensuing project: (i) detailed executing agency, and implementing agency capacity assessments, with remedial action plan to build executing agency and implementing agency capacity to minimize procurement and financial management risks; (ii) proposed or indicative loan related procurement plan with suggested level of priority or, if applicable, post review based on executing agency and implementing agency capacity assessment; (iii) indicative implementation schedule with proposed sequencing of consultant recruitment and procurement bidding and awarding; (iv) a draft project performance management system; and (v) administration of seminars and workshops.
Responsible ADB Officer Jain, Anupma
Responsible ADB Department Southeast Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Urban Development and Water Division, SERD
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Public Works and Transport
Timetable
Concept Clearance -
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 03 Sep 2012
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 28 Sep 2012

TA 8150-LAO

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
03 Sep 2012 18 Oct 2012 18 Oct 2012 31 Dec 2013 31 Dec 2015 24 Feb 2016
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
800,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800,000.00 17 Jun 2022 674,178.11

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

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Title Document Type Document Date
TA 8150-LAO Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project: Final Report Consultants' Reports Aug 2013
Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project Technical Assistance Reports Jun 2013
Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Jun 2013
Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project: Project Data Sheet (Lao Translation) Translated PDS Nov 2012

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

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Related Publications

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Tenders

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Contracts Awarded

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Procurement Plan

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