An approximately 70-metre-long dam that was illegally constructed in the Tonle Sap Lake has been ordered destroyed. Water resources ministry
A water supply company in Kampong Chhnang town has agreed to remove a roughly 70-meter-long embankment that it constructed in the Tonle Sap Lake.
The company has committed to remove the soil from the dam within 15 days, and has also requested technical guidance from the authorities to determine an appropriate location for pumping water for treatment.
The commitment was made following a meeting held at the Kampong Chhnang provincial hall on Tuesday, April 22, based on directives from Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Thor Chetha, who also serves as head of the Tonle Sap Authority.
The meeting was led by joint deputy-chairman of the authority Hell Tony, and attended by Ouk Vuthy, undersecretary of state at the water resources ministry, as well as Kampong Chhnang provincial governor Sun Sovannarith and representatives of relevant government bodies and the water supply company.
It followed an April 19 field inspection of the dam, located in Kampong Chhnang town’s Khsam and Psar Chhnang communes. The dam was reportedly constructed to protect the company’s pumphouses.
Following the inspection, it was determined that the infilling of the lake breached articles 12 and 36 of Cambodia's Law on Water Resources Management.
On April 21, teams from the Tonle Sap Authority met with experts from the water resources ministry to assess potential impacts on natural water flow and the ecological system of the Tonle Sap.
The April 22 meeting concluded with a unanimous decision requiring the water supply company to remove the filled land and embankment.
“The company requested a period of 15 days and will gradually remove the fill over a 7-day period from now,” said the Tonle Sap Authority.
The business will also need approval from the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation and other authorities before it selects another location for its clean water production operations.
Tony explained that the removal of the fill is necessary to preserve the natural water flow of the Tonle Sap and to help protect its ecosystem. Additionally, it aligns with established legal principles and technical standards.
Furthermore, it relates to the future sustainability of the Tonle Sap’s water flow, he added.
