The online support and training project for the groundwater sector of Lao PDR

Despite an abundance of favorable groundwater bearing deposits, ample recharge from rainfall and surface water bodies, and potential in terms of natural protection from the filtering through the porous formation, difficulties in locating exploitable quanttites of water at depth and problems with elevated concentrations of problematic elements such as iron and manganese, has resulted in general skepticsm and curtailment of investments in this sector. The Online Support and Training represents an attempt to alter this trend through providing ease of access to an extensive information base covering all aspects regarding the assessment and practical design and construction of groundwater resources in Lao PDR. This paper presents the Online Suppor and Training, its main features as well as key recent experiences with development of groundwater supply as part of the ongoing ADB funded Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project for the Department of Housing and Urban Planning (DHUP) of Lao PDR.