SIEM Reap's water woes are rapidly being corrected, with the latest move being the earmarking of part of a Korean loan to build a wastewater filtration station on the Siem Reap River.

Funds for this will come from a US$120 million loan agreement provided by the Republic of Korea Economic Development Cooperation fund, which was signed on December 30.

Meanwhile, Siem Reap's traffic continues to snarl as more roads are dug up during the course of the wastewater management project, which is being overseen by the Japanese company NJS Consultants Co Ltd. The Ministry of Tourism has ordered the work as part of an initiative under the Mekong Tourism Development Project.

The $11 million project, officially started in June 2007 and funded by the Asian Development Bank, is scheduled for completion mid-year.

The project, covering western Siem Reap, will dramatically upgrade wastewater management and commences at National Road 6, the dividing line between west and east.