Vientiane’s state water supplier reported a profit of more than LAK 91.6 billion (USD 4.2 million) in the first half of 2026, even as it struggles to keep up with growing demand and extend services to all parts of the capital.
At a meeting on 26 August, the Vientiane Capital People’s Council called on the enterprise to speed up efforts to expand water supplies and improve services for residents.
Daily demand for water in the capital has reached about 504,000 cubic meters, driven by population growth and economic development.
The enterprise currently produces an average of around 400,000 cubic meters a day, leaving a gap of roughly 104,000 cubic meters, with demands continuing to outpace supply.
Future Projects
The enterprise is working on three projects that are expected to add 80,000 cubic meters of daily capacity by the end of 2028.
The projects include two new water treatment plants and an expansion of the existing Chi Nai Mo plant, with the first project expected to be completed in April 2027.
For now, water coverage remains uneven across the capital.
The enterprise currently supplies 378 of Vientiane’s 481 villages, covering about 79 percent of the capital. The remaining 103 villages are mainly in Pak Ngum, Santhong and parts of Xaythany districts.
Officials said water services continue to face challenges from seasonal changes in raw-water levels, ageing pipelines, water losses, power outages and limited budgets.
Rising demand is putting further pressure on existing infrastructure.
Revenue and Service Upgrades
The enterprise reported collecting 53 percent of its annual revenue target during the first six months of 2026. It has introduced real-time meter reading, mobile billing, and bank payment options to improve service efficiency.
The People’s Council has urged the water supplier to expand coverage, reduce water losses from its pipelines, recover unpaid bills and ensure its planned treatment plants stay on schedule.
Officials also said broader regulatory issues, including management rules, technical standards and differences in water tariffs, need to be addressed.
