Mekong - U.S. Partnership
In late December 2014, the USAID Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change project (USAID Mekong ARCC) began water supply studies in communities in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand and Khammouan, Lao PDR to gain a better understanding of water sources and sanitation methods to inform community climate adaptation plans and measures.
During previous fieldwork, these communities identified drought, rain variability and flooding as having significant, typically negative, impacts on their livelihoods. According to the USAID Mekong ARCC Climate Study for the Lower Mekong Basin, these issues are all projected to increase in the future, creating the need for adaptive measures to address potential water supply and sanitation issues.
In Khammouan, the team assessed five communities through a walking survey in diverse areas such as rice paddy fields, residential areas, mountainous areas and nearby streams. In each community, the team collected water samples from mountain streams, wells and underground pumps to measure water quality and determine if they are viable sources of water during the dry season. The water supply assessment will inform potential adaptation options for strengthening climate resilience in both Sakon Nakhon and Khammouan.
Source: USAID/RDMA Regional Environment Office Weekly Update
