Environmental department officials inspect a polluted water source in Pailin province’s Sala Krau district and commune on March 16. Supplied
A fruit processing company in Pailin province’s Sala Krau district has been found responsible for discharging untreated wastewater. It has contaminated the water source for more than 40 households, with fish dying as a result of the pollutants.
A team of specialists from the provincial Department of Environment, in collaboration with local authorities and residents, conducted an inspection on March 16 at five locations around the company’s factory in Steung Kach commune, after receiving reports from citizens and local news networks.
The team discovered dead fish in the water at the head of a canal located in Phnom Spong village, in Sala Krau district and commune.
“The team determined that the factory was discharging wastewater improperly. The wastewater, which had a foul smell, was released through the factory’s drainage system into a public water source,” said the department, in a March 17 statement.
In addition, 47 nearby households were directly affected, causing a shortage of water for daily use. The inspection showed that the factory had been in operation for 15 days with a non-functioning wastewater management system.
In response to the violations, the team ordered the company to stop discharging wastewater immediately.
They also instructed the factory owners to modify its wastewater management system and submit an accurate environmental and social impact assessment report.
The factory must comply with the law and regulations to avoid further harm to the environment, public health and the livelihoods of local citizens. Water samples were also collected for laboratory testing.
The company’s actions violated the Environmental and Natural Resources Code.
Articles 280 and 284 of the code stipulate the preparation of water pollution management plans, implementation measures for water pollution and monitoring of pollution from specific sources.
Articles 286 and 287 specifically address the required permits for wastewater discharge and the responsibility of polluters.
The government issued a directive on March 15, instructing all authorities to work with the Ministry of Environment to prevent water pollution in public areas.
The directive urged the owners and operators of factories, industrial operations, mining enterprises and other facilities to install wastewater management systems and monitoring tools that meet applicable standards instructed them to prepare plans to address any water pollution incidents promptly.
Additionally, the directive emphasised the proper management of agricultural waste, including chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides, to prevent wastewater leakage or runoff that could contaminate public water sources.
It also called for cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries and regional partners to jointly address urgent water pollution issues, ensuring compliance with the law and environmental standards.
