Initial Tests Show Normal Water Quality at Cha-Am Beach
Initial water quality tests at Cha-Am Beach in Phetchaburi showed normal conditions after contractors accidentally discharged wastewater during a pump replacement on September 12, with authorities continuing monitoring and vowing legal acti
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin responded to social media reports of wastewater being discharged into the sea at southern Cha-Am Beach in Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi Province, by ordering the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to urgently investigate and monitor water quality and any impact on marine and coastal resources. If violations or resource damage are found, legal action will be taken without exception.
Dr. Pinsak Surasawadee, director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, instructed the Marine and Coastal Resources Office 3 and the Upper Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Research Center to conduct a joint investigation with Cha-Am Municipality and the Wastewater Management Organization. They found that the incident occurred on September 12, 2569 when outside contractors were replacing a pump at the wastewater pumping station. During the work, a temporary pump was installed and water was discharged from the system without prior notification to the site supervisor. Upon learning of the incident, the Wastewater Management Organization immediately ordered the discharge stopped and work halted, then moved to develop temporary wastewater management procedures in compliance with sanitation and environmental standards before resuming operations. Cha-Am Municipality suspended the work and assigned its legal team to pursue legal action.
Staff inspected three locations—northern, central, and southern Cha-Am Beach—and found normal-colored seawater with no unusual odor and no floating or dead aquatic life. Preliminary water quality measurements showed temperature between 32.7–33.5 degrees Celsius, pH between 8.15–8.19, salinity between 19.5–27.7 parts per thousand, and dissolved oxygen between 4.4–5.8 milligrams per liter, all within the 2564 Type 4 marine water quality standard for recreation. No algal blooms were detected at any station. Detailed laboratory analysis of water samples is pending to formally confirm environmental impact.
Minister Suchart stated: "Although preliminary measurements remain within standard limits and no aquatic life damage has been found, I have ordered the department to continue vigilant monitoring and analysis to assure the public and tourists using Cha-Am Beach. Any activities causing impact to marine and coastal resources will face strict legal action and appropriate preventive measures will be put in place to prevent such incidents from happening again."
