A Lao-Vietnamese joint venture has begun selling water to the Vientiane Water Supply Enterprise after completing the construction of its water treatment facilities. The Hadao Company on Wednesday held an official ceremony to mark the start of commercial supply from its facilities in the Nam Ngum riverside village of Dongbang in Xaythany district, some 25 km from the central Vientiane. The joint venture invested US$ 4.9 million to build the Dongbang water treatment plant, which has a production capacity of 20.000 cubic metres a day. The company signed an agreement to sell Water Supply Enterprise for 1.350 kip per cubic metre in July last year. The new facility will mean the enterprise can supply an additional 16-18.000 cubic metres of water a day to households and businesses in Vientiane. The investment agreement is valid for 30 years, with the Lao company holding a 20 percent shareholding.
