Environment Ministry Orders Pollution Watch at Nan Waste Sites
Thailand's Environment Ministry has ordered strict monitoring of waste disposal sites and wastewater systems in flood-prone Nan province to prevent contamination of water sources from heavy rainfall and flooding.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has instructed the Pollution Control Department to closely monitor waste disposal sites and wastewater treatment systems in flood-prone areas of Nan province to prevent environmental and public health impacts. Heavy rainfall, flash floods, and flash-flood currents could disrupt wastewater systems or wash garbage into water sources, causing contamination.
According to Surin Vorakitdharm, director-general of the Pollution Control Department, the Lamphun Environmental and Pollution Control Office found that the Tha Wang Pha Municipal Subdistrict waste disposal site covers 100 rai and handles approximately 4.78 tonnes of waste daily. The Nan City Municipal waste disposal site covers 60 rai and processes about 80 tonnes per day from 21 local administrative organizations, using proper sanitary landfill and MBT (integrated community waste management) systems, neither currently affected by flooding.
The Nan City Municipal wastewater treatment system, which handles 8,259 cubic metres daily with four pumping stations and 16 sump tanks covering approximately 90 percent of the service area, has also not been affected. The Lamphun office has coordinated with local agencies to monitor waste collection and storage in flooded areas according to scientific standards, prevent garbage from being swept into communities and water sources, and address leachate, odour, and sanitation concerns. The Pollution Control Department will monitor the situation closely and take immediate action if impacts are detected, and has urged the public and local agencies to report any problems by calling 1650.
