Last week Kamala Beach. Now it’s Bang Tao Beach. And all the same excuses from officials.
Local residents in the northern Phuket sub-district of Chergntalay are complaining about what looks like wastewater flowing across Bangtao Beach.
The Phuket News reports that Bangtao locals say black, foul-smelling water could be seen on the beach on Saturday, February 24.
Environmental watchdog Monsoon Garbage took to social media to highlight the matter, claiming the black wastewater was accumulating at Bang Tao canal and flowing into the sea.
“According to the locals, the water in the area is black and smelly and has flowed into the sea many times, despite complaints to the concerned authorities, but the problem is not permanently resolved.”
The groups says frustrated residents have repeatedly asked the authorities to do something as the issue is a long-standing problem. Complaints have been lodged with the local authorities for more than a decade.
“It has affected the citizens, local fishermen and tourists visiting the area have suffered a lot of trouble as well as clearly affecting the image and ruining the image of the beautiful tourist town of Phuket province.”
The social media post drew the attention of Dr Jaturong Kongkaew from the Phuket campus of the Prince of Songkla University. Dr Jaturong is Deputy Dean for Administration and Human Resources at the Faculty of Technology and Environment.
He inspected the site and says the wastewater is from a local treatment plant and is actually being impacted by algae, which make it look darker than normal. He says the water merely looks dark, due to the presence of moss, but is actually clear when examined closely.
Dr Jaturong insists that by the time the water reaches the sea, it is clear and odourless, adding that at this time of year, there is often an increase in algae and moss due to a lack of rainfall.
The official explanation is contrary to the many complaints about the filthy, smelly water reaching the beach.
But he’s submitted his findings to the Chergntalay Mayor and other local officials, suggesting an inspection of the Bang Tao water treatment plant to ensure there are no faults in his operation.
Dr Jaturong says installing an extra water turbine to add oxygen to the water prior to it being released from the plant could be a solution.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
