Up to very recently, little interest was shown to the groundwater resources, likely due to the fact that Lao PDR has vast surface water resources and limited infrastructures for taking profit of them. Drinking water supply and some punctual industrial spots were the only users of the groundwater resources. Most of the water produced for domestic purposes, especially in villages and even small towns, was actually provided through hand pumps that by definition can only deliver a limited yield.
In many countries, groundwater is of vital importance for the livelihood and health of the people since it is often the main source for domestic water. It is also widely used for irrigated agriculture and industry. This is particularly true in dry regions where surface water is scarce or seasonal, and in rural areas with dispersed populations. Climate change is likely to lead to a greater dependence on groundwater as a cushion against drought and increasing uncertainty in surface water availability. Up to now, indeed, groundwater exploitation remained very limited in Lao PDR, but it is likely to change fast in the short and middle term.
