Test shows 'very deteriorated' water quality
Play
The flood coursing through the Waterworks Canal in Bangkok's Bang Sue district has been shown to be among the filthiest in the country.
Worasart Apaipong, deputy director-general of the Pollution Control Department, said yesterday that the water quality at the canal in front of the Bang Sue District Office was very deteriorated, with 1.3 milligrams per litre of dissolved oxygen (DO).
Citing a report by the operations centre for pollution mitigation in flood-affected areas, Worasart said officials had measured the water quality at 25 flooded areas nationwide and found 32 per cent were “very deteriorated”, 40 per cent “deteriorated”, 4 per cent “fair” and 24 per cent “good”.
In Sing Buri, tambon Ton Pho in Muang district and tambon Hua Pa in Phromburi district reported the DO level at 0.0-1.0mg/L, while Suphan Buri’s Bang Pla Ma district reported 1.6-5mg/L.
In Lop Buri’s Muang district, tambon Patan had 1.3mg/L of DO, while Ayutthaya’s Lat Bua Luang, Phak Hai and Bang Sai districts were reported at 2.0-4.8mg/L. Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district was reported at 1.6mg/L.
From October 27-31, 190 water-pollution complaints were filed through the 1111 flood hotline and the 1650 department hotline.
Officials had given Effective Micro-organism (EM) liquid as an initial solution to 59 people while contacting other agencies for the rest. So far, 25,004 litres of EM and 40,000 EM balls have been sent to assist flood victims, while 85,000 litres and 11,200 balls were held in reserve.
Officials have also responded to 43 complaints of garbage or chemical leakage, including engine oil, in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district and chemical fertiliser in Pathum Thani’s Thanyaburi district, Worasart said.
