[Xieng Khouang Province], [07/01/2026] – The community of Ban Ang, Phoukout District, has embarked on a vital infrastructure initiative, commencing the renovation of their Gravity-Fed Irrigation System (Nam Lin). Supported by the Community Livelihood Enhancement and Resilience (CLEAR) project, this initiative highlights community ownership and advanced engineering designed for climate resilience.
Background and Objectives: Identified as the Number One Priority in the Village Development Plan and aligned with the District’s Socio-Economic Plan, this sub-project addresses chronic water shortages. It aims to secure water for both agricultural production and domestic use for 75 households (608 beneficiaries, 258 women) across two village hamlets (Khoum Om and Khoum Ang).
Technical Innovation for Resilience: The engineering design specifically addresses Climate Change Adaptation through a unique dual-system approach:
- Segregated Water Systems: The Water Tank structure separates water into two zones:
- Irrigation zone: Direct supply for farming.
- Domestic zone: Equipped with a sedimentation tank and copper net filtering system to ensure water quality for household use.
- Controlled Distribution: A secure “Water Control House” manages the flow. Access is restricted to assigned committee members via a lock system to prevent conflicts and ensure equitable distribution.
- Drought Response Mechanism: In cases of extreme drought, the system allows for the suspension of irrigation supply to prioritize and divert all available water for essential domestic consumption.
Implementation and Budget: Implemented under the Community Force Account (CFA) model, the community is directly responsible for construction. Work involves renovating the intake, laying 15,300 meters of HDPE pipe, constructing distribution tanks, and installing 5 tap platforms (include 01 tap for Primary school). The total investment is 897,828,658 LAK:
- CLEAR Project Contribution: 857,628,658 LAK include: 795,791,800 Lak of Construction cost( Materials and Labors) and 61,836,858 Lak of VIT administrative Cost
- Community Contribution: 40,200,000 LAK.
Timeline: Construction began on November 20, 2025, and is expected to be completed by January 20, 2026.
Upon completion, Ban Ang will benefit from a reliable year-round water supply, boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and significantly improving local livelihoods.
