Cambodia has, in fact, been classified as one of the 20 most corrupt countries in the world.
Phnom Penh, however, is only one city in a country of over 16 million people.
Rural areas have, by comparison, seen relatively little development, despite the fact that around 70 per cent of Cambodians work in agriculture and an estimated 80 per cent live in rural areas.
Despite typically receiving reliable levels of rainfall, rural areas of Cambodia struggle to access clean water.
Rural Cambodians still primarily depend on untreated water sources, such as rivers, for agriculture and personal water use, while the PPWSA provides access to sanitary water services across the majority of Phnom Penh.
There is an intrinsic link between corruption within the Cambodian public service and the poor access rural Cambodians have to potable water.
Among other benefits, this model allows households to maintain autonomy in allocating financial resources based on their own priorities.
Much can be drawn from the success the PPWSA has had in addressing corruption as a barrier to improving water access in Phnom Penh.
The Cambodian public service must take steps to reduce corrupt practices, such as bribery; it must facilitate a principled, state-wide workplace culture and implement improved transparency processes.
This will also allow private sector organisations to be more effective in aiding rural Cambodians to gain access to clean water.