Safe Water Reaches Schools and Health Centres in Northern Laos - September 2026
Earlier this year, we shared the news of our new partnership with the Czech Embassy in Bangkok to expand access to clean drinking water in Phongsaly Province, northern Laos.
We are now pleased to share an update from the first phase of the Laos Access Water Project, implemented with the support of the Czech Embassy’s Small Scale Projects grant program and our local partner, ECONOX Laos.
Together, we have installed 103 Abundant Water filters across 8 schools and 2 health centres, providing access to clean drinking water for 1,830 students, 120 teachers and staff, as well as patients at the health centres.
In this remote part of Laos, access to safe drinking water can be particularly difficult. Water can be expensive to purchase and communities often have to rely on untreated sources or spend significant amounts of time and resources on boiling water.
These photos illustrate the successes of Phase 1 of the program - From top to bottom and left to right: Assembling a water filter set | A school principal gives an appreciation speech upon receiving Abundant Water filters | Mr. Uane from ECONOX Laos delivers training on filter maintenance at a health center | Mr. Xay from ECONOX Laos delivers a presentation at one of the schools.
The project is also about making sure these filters continue to work well into the future. As part of the first phase, 7 local vendors and 3 government officers were trained in filter installation, troubleshooting and maintenance. Building this local knowledge means that communities have people nearby who can support them when they need help.
This is an important part of Abundant Water’s approach: providing a practical solution is only the beginning. Local skills, ownership and a community of practice are what help make access to safe water sustainable.
These photos were take during a training session for filter vendors, delivered by Mr. Uane from ECONOX Laos.
We would like to thank ECONOX Laos for their excellent work in implementing the project on the ground and supporting the communities involved.
We are also very grateful to the Czech Embassy in Bangkok for their generous support. Their Small Scale Projects program is what made this possible.
We look forward to building on this first phase and continuing to work with our local partners to expand access to safe, affordable drinking water in Laos.
Abundant Water, an Australian volunteer-led organisation, is taking action, now. Our work is already making a tangible difference in Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Laos. But we need your help to go further, faster. Even the smallest contribution can mean clean water, better health, and renewed hope for families in need.
Act now - Because clean water can’t wait