The delegation visited the DPWT, Luang Namtha Province along with the Project coordinator Unit (PCU) team of ADB-GMS2 project.

Tuesday,15 March at Luang Namtha Province
    

    The delegation visited the DPWT, Luang Namtha Province along with the Project coordinator Unit (PCU) team of the ADB-GMS2 project. The DPWT Team introduced the design and the operation plan for the Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) developed in the Night market and a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) at the landfill site.  The delegation visited the FSTP and learned of the operations of the facility which include the stabilization reactor, (the first step that stores sewage sludge), the drying beds, the wastewater will flow through an Anaerobic baffled reactor and planted gravel filter for the final treatment before releasing to natural channel. The visitors acknowledged the similarity in the concept of the FSTP in Luang Namtha with that being proposed in Pakse.

·       Wednesday, 16 March 2022 at Huayxay, Bokeo province.

    Participants visited horizontal gravel filter that improves the quality of greywater from households and stormwater in the rainy season before releasing it to the pond downstream. The pond acts as the polishing stage of the wastewater before it is disposed of in the Mekong river.

    The delegation also visited (~4km) sewerage system in Huayxay city which collected greywater from households. The greywater was treated in a DEWATS located within the community. The village authorities remarked that there was no smell or nuisance from the wastewater treatment and felt confident that the community will welcome such a treatment plant in Pakse. 

    Mr.Khamphouk Chanthabanhdith, Deputy Director General of DPWT, Champasak Province shared his thoughts after the exposure visits, “this was a great learning opportunity as we saw the actual facilities for the first time and learned the various challenges experienced by these cities in implementing these projects. We should try to bring all the good practices to improve the wastewater management in Pakse and ensure that it is sustainable and a best practice in Lao PDR”.

    Mr. Vathadeth Kinphousin, Deputy  Director of  Public Work and Transport office of Pakse city remarked that “We saw both the strengths and weaknesses of the ongoing projects in construction and operation stage, so we will keep these in mind, follow the useful lessons learned in developing the systems in Pakse”. ­