FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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More than 50 Patong operators releasing untreated wastewater

More than 50 Patong operators releasing untreated wastewater

Patong Municipality is preparing to dredge the Pakbang Canal at the southern end of Patong Beach this week before the arrival of heavy rains.

Operators who are releasing untreated wastewater into the drains in the resort town on the west coast of Phuket Island are being asked to urgently solve the problem before legal action is taken and enforced.
Patong’s Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup said: “We are solving the problem of black and foul-smelling water from Pakbang Canal flowing into Patong Beach. We have a Bt4 million budget ready for dredging the sediments. Now it is getting to the rainy season, we have to do this as soon as possible.”

More than 50 Patong operators releasing untreated wastewater
The black water is caused by more than just sediment, said the mayor. “Some operators are releasing untreated wastewater into drains. This wastewater is mixing with rain and flowing into Pakbang Canal and to the sea,” Chalermluck explained.
The municipality has identified about 50 operators, including hotels, restaurants, and houses that are releasing untreated wastewater, she said.
“We have already told them to fix the problems. We are willing to give them advice, but they must fix the problems quickly. If they still ignore us we have to enforce the laws and force them to comply,” Chalermluck said.

More than 50 Patong operators releasing untreated wastewater
Phase 4 of a new wastewater treatment system is now under construction and expected to be complete by the end of 2018. The new infrastructure will be able to handle an additional 9,000 cubic metres of wastewater, with the entire system able to cope with 30,000 cubic metres.
“Patong continues to grow very quickly and more wastewater is been produced,” said the mayor. “We are also planning to build Phase 5 of wastewater treatment as well,” she added.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/more-than-50-patong-operators-releasing-untreated-wastewater

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