Sa kaeo: The spillway at Khao Sampung has become the center of environmental concern as it emits a strong, foul odor, prompting fears among residents living near the border of Sa Kaeo and Prachinburi provinces. The pollution has raised alarms about potential industrial waste contamination affecting local water sources. In response, the Pollution Control Department has taken water samples to investigate the cause of the odor, which has intensified compared to previous years, hindering fishing activities.
According to Thai News Agency, officials from the Pollution Control and Environmental Office Region 7, part of the Department of Pollution Control, have visited the Khao Samphung overflow weir located in Nong Wa Subdistrict, Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province. Their mission was to inspect water quality and gather samples for analysis following reports from villagers about the unusually strong foul odor in the area. Concerns are growing that industrial waste from bordering areas of Sa Kaeo and Prachinburi may be impacting the water sources. The results from the analysis are eagerly awaited to determine the exact cause of the pollution.
Mr. Witthaya Danlaken, the assistant village headman of Moo 12, Nong Wawa Subdistrict, expressed worries about the water source, which is vital for agricultural purposes. The surrounding region, known for its cultivation of sugarcane, corn, cassava, vegetables, eucalyptus, and oil palm, relies heavily on this water. Typically, a drop in water levels leads to the growth of aquatic weeds, which rot and release a foul smell during flooding. This year, however, the odor's intensity has increased significantly, discouraging villagers from entering the canal and making fishing impossible, thereby raising serious concerns about water quality.
In light of the escalating pollution issues in the eastern region, the Pollution Control Department is planning to bolster its monitoring and laboratory capabilities. This includes the improvement of its current centers in Rayong and Chonburi and potentially establishing a temporary operational center in Prachinburi to expedite analysis if a substantial number of samples require testing.