The authorities are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, tomorrow, to discuss finding a solution to an issue which has arisen in the Tonle Sap Lake.

A privately-owned water supply company in Kampong Chhnang town has reportedly filled in a portion of the lake – constructing an embankment approximately 70 metres long — in Psar Krom commune’s Chhong Koh village.

Hell Tony, joint deputy-chairman of the Tonle Sap Authority, stated that the position of the authority – as well as the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology – is that the company must remove the soil that was filled in to restore the natural water flow of the lake, protect the ecosystem and comply with both legal and technical standards.

“Tomorrow we’ll meet at the provincial hall to discuss the technical details — such as what kind of structure might be acceptable — but the issue of the landfill must be dealt with. The soil has to be removed. We do not allow obstruction of water flow like that. It does not look good, and it sets a bad precedent. If they can do it, then the public will think they can do it too,” he said on Monday, April 21.

“We have the Water Resources Law, which in Articles 12 and 36 clearly prohibits this kind of action. It is entirely illegal... just like placing a barrier that blocks the natural water flow of the lake. This kind of interference could cause soil erosion in the future. This is a Tonle Sap issue — it’s not something trivial. The Tonle Sap is a matter of historical significance,” he added.

On April 19, Tony, together with  Ouk Vuthy and Ly Sinou—both undersecretaries of state at the water resources ministry – and Sar Kimsan, secretary-general of the Tonle Sap Authority, led a team of officials and local authorities in an onspection tour of the site.

The inspection was carried out under the directive of Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Thor Chetha, who chairs the authority.

Following the inspection, a national and provincial working group also met to discuss the issue.

As a remedial measure, the working group ordered the company to remove the soil backfill and restore the area to its original condition.

Tomorrow’s meeting is expected to provide the company with alternative solutions, so they can continue to supply clean water to the public while avoiding negative impacts on the lake’s natural flow and ecosystem.

Tony reiterated that the clean water sector is a top priority and must be promoted so the public has access to clean water.

“We support the government’s policy, but our position is not to support any action that harms the natural flow of the water. We demand that the soil be removed, but for a win-win outcome, we’ll discuss the technical framework on what exactly needs to be done. Let’s wait to see the results of tomorrow’s meeting,” he explained.

A company representative clarified that the construction was built to protect water pumps from interference by water hyacinth in the lake during operations.

The purpose was to extract water for clean water supply services to Kampong Chhnang town residents, who face shortages during the dry season. The company had no intention of claiming the land as private property, according to the ministry’s Vuthy.

Officials inspect the site where soil was dumped into the Tonle Sap Lake to form a 70 metre dam. Tonle Sap Authority