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dam-l LS: Bang Pakong dam proving disastrous



Bang Pakong dam proving disastrous

Ecological horror as reservoir stinks
Bangkok Post, April 11, 2000

Bang Pakong dam-a 1.9 billion baht project built by the Irrigation
Department to conserve fresh water and block sea water from entering Bang
Pakong river in Chachoengsao province-has failed to deliver on its
promises, and is instead polluting the river.

Saksit Tridech, secretary-general of the Office of Environmental Policy and
Planning (OEPP), revealed that since Bang Pakong dam started operation in
January this year, the natural flow of the river has been disrupted and
water quality along the river's banks has deteriorated.

OEPP officials visited the dam last week and found that seven kilometres of
river upstream of the dam was heavily polluted. The water there had become
murky and malodorous.

"The water above the dam is literally like pigs' excrement. This dam was
not required to submit an environmental impact assessment [EIA] because of
its small size. But it has become clear the dam structure is the cause of
foul water and sea water flooding," Mr Saksit said.

The dam project was approved by the government in Dec 1990, and is intended
to hold 30 million cubic metres of fresh water for consumption.

Construction began in Oct 1996 and was completed early this year. The dam
started collecting water from Jan 6, and in March villagers filed
complaints about water pollution.

The water in Bang Pakong river is mixed, with fresh water flowing in from
upstream, while downstream the water is saline due to the presence of sea
water. When the dam closed its floodgates to conserve water, the inflow of
fresh water above the dam was blocked and the water remained stagnant.

This collection became contaminated by wastes dumped into the river from
from pig farms, run-off water from farms using chemical fertiliser and
garbage from households along the river.

Meanwhile, the land below the dam's structure has been flooded by sea
water. The waterway in front of Wat Sodhorn Wararam, or Wat Luang Por
Sodhorn, has reportedly become filled with plankton due to the stagnant sea
water.

The river's banks below the dam have been eroded by sea water that has been
cut off by a 900m wall of the dam.

The OEPP is now working closely with the Irrigation Department to assess
the impact of the Bang Pakong dam, which has ceased operations temporarily,
and the river has been allowed to continue its natural flow.

The OEPP will finish its EIA study by the end of next year, and the dam
will not be operated till then.

The first task in solving the upstream pollution problem will focus on pig
farms, which have mushroomed along the river.

Owners of farms having over 500 pigs are legally required to have a waste
water treatment system.

Bang Pakong dam is one of 12 dams and reservoirs under an Irrigation
Department project to manage water in the Bang Pakong river to supply
provinces in the eastern region.

The OEPP now fears the 11 other projects could lead to further
environmental damage and ecological disruption, as most of these projects
had not been required to submit EIA studies.
***********************************
Southeast Asia Rivers Network (SEARIN)
25/5 Moo 2 
Soi Sukhapiban 27
Changkhien-Jed yod Rd.
Chang Phuek
Muang Chiang Mai 50300
Thailand
Tel&Fax (66) 53-221157
Email: searin@chmai.loxinfo.co.th