Phuket: The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has directed the Pollution Control Department to investigate the origins of wastewater flowing into the sea at Kamala Beach. The investigation revealed that the wastewater comes from a public canal receiving discharge from the community. The Director-General of the Pollution Control Department is collaborating with local authorities to urgently address the issue. According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Priyaporn Suwannaket, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), has expedited efforts to investigate the wastewater problem at Kamala Beach in response to concerns raised by Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. The PCD has tasked the Phuket Environmental and Pollution Control Office 15 (PCD 15), along with other local agencies, to inspect the situation. The inspection, conducted on the morning of February 8, 2025, revealed that wastewater was flowing from a public canal into the sea. The canal water wa s observed to be white and cloudy upstream, turning black with a foul smell along a 250-meter stretch before reaching the sea. The Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization currently manages a community wastewater treatment system that can accommodate up to 1,000 cubic meters daily, but only 30% of wastewater is entering due to the pumping station's higher elevation compared to the wastewater level. Ms. Priyaporn outlined both urgent and long-term measures to address the issue. In the short term, she recommended that the Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization spray microorganisms to reduce odors and use tanks to drip microorganisms along the canals. Additionally, the AJN has set up a temporary water pump to enhance wastewater collection by 60 cubic meters daily. Local authorities are also tasked with inspecting wastewater discharges from laundries and hotels and reporting to the governor's advisor by February 14, 2025. For sustainable, long-term solutions, the AJN plans to establish two more wa stewater pumping stations to ensure full treatment of wastewater. The Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organization will also regulate discharges from local businesses and conduct annual dredging of canal sediments. The public is encouraged to report any wastewater issues to the hotline 1650. The Pollution Control Department remains committed to monitoring environmental quality and providing guidance for sustainable solutions.
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