I am showing រហាត់ទឹក Water-pumping wheels (Norias) from Siem Reap.
The Noria is located in the nursery in Takeo temple (inside the Angkor Archaeological park). It was believed to be built since 1960s (aged over 60years). In Khmer Rouge regime, the Noria was completely ruined but it was renovated in 1980s so that they can use the water for their plants in the nursery. There are lot of Noria in Siem Reap – there is another one for show on King’s Road in Sieam Reap town where you can see closer. There are other province that also built noria but used different technique from that of Siem Reap makers. Noria is not for sale in public – they are tools that the maker built for their own use only.
The benefits of the Noria
Norias are a traditional water pumping technology in many countries in south-east Asia (read some history of Noria here), where the techniques of doing things are passed through different generations. Norias are traditionally made of bamboo & wood. It is compared to a generator which is one of the reasons that they are almost extinct these days. Unlike generator they use to pump water and can send water far away with long tube, the norias can be low-cost devices and good for environment but they can only supply water to its nearby fields. In Cambodia, Norias are not operational much anymore - but only kept for the show.
We were visiting the wheel back in 2014 - My parents and the noria
How it works
Technically, the stream or flowing water powers the wheel of the Noria while the bamboo tubes closed at one end fill with water, carry it up and release it in a trough which flows to the fields nearby where it was installed. When the water level in the river is lower, an underwater bound is built to direct it toward the wheel and ensure a continuous pumping. Well, while they produce water that can support the paddy fields and yield so much rice, it needs to be removed or repaired regularly. Noria can be used in many ways such to pump up water or to produce electricity, depends on how strong the waterflow is. It can help lots of burden by releasing water up to places higher than where it is.
- Noria might need to be checked, repaired around three times a year. In case of a flood, the waterwheel can be damaged or destroyed, which occurs around once a year. According to some sources, with only 3 m diameter of wheels, it allows the production of two rice harvests a year on 2.5 ha.
- According to some sources, to build a noria, an experienced farmer only needs around one day, and wood and bamboo worth around 25 US$. However, the bigger one will cost a lot. The one at Takeo nursery needs about 90,000USD to repair, took about 7months to finish.
- It is said to be installed at the beginning of the rainy season, and removed at the end to be fixed. In case of floods (which happens around once a year) it also needs to be fixed. The maintenance costs are around a quarter of the establishment costs. When the water level drops, a berm is built in the water to redirect the water toward the wheel, which is needed around three times a year. With this berm, the speed and thus pumping of water can be regulated.
The stream is very low and my dad was checking how it works 
- It might not be the main tourist attractions among many magnificent temples in Siem Reap, but while you are there, do check it out. It is located by the Takeo temple.
- It is on the way, and no tickets is required to enter the nursery.
- It attracts about 300 visitors per day.
