In a report obtained by Khmer Times, The Ministry of Environment has released the findings of extensive inspections conducted on liquid waste discharge from 600 factories and enterprises across Cambodia. As a result, dozens of factories have been issued revision orders, requiring them to apply for waste disposal permits to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

The Ministry has also urged factories to equip themselves with self-monitoring devices to monitor liquid and wastewater discharges for sustainable development.

Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth has reiterated his strong commitment to combatting water pollution, emphasising that strict actions will be taken against officials who fail to enforce these standards or who collude with private companies to bypass regulations.

“Regarding the fight against water pollution, if I don’t see signs of success, then we will take further action,” he said, expressing optimism about improving water quality.

“We must strictly enforce regulations on water pollution because our people have been severely affected by it,” he added.

During a senior leadership meeting on Wednesday, the Ministry highlighted the launch of a new campaign to clean the country’s water surfaces, starting with efforts on Tonle Sap Lake. The campaign includes measures to prevent garbage from entering the lake, which serves as a vital water source for millions of Cambodians.

In collaboration with the European Union and River Ocean Cleanup, the Ministry also organised a major cleanup event along the Mekong River, involving over 400 participants who also planted trees in Phnom Penh as part of broader environmental restoration efforts.

The Ministry has equipped itself with advanced technology to control and monitor liquid waste discharge from potential sources of pollution. This includes a special economic zone now fitted with self-monitoring equipment, and 111 factories are being urged to continue improving their waste management systems.

The Ministry’s report also detailed the inspection of public water sources, including rivers, streams, lakes, and creeks at 39 locations across 11 provinces. The findings revealed that while water quality in some areas like Chhnok Trou commune in Kampong Chhnang province, and Prek Tapov stream in Kandal province is moderate during the dry season, other areas remain in good condition.

For seawater inspections, officials tested 18 locations in the coastal provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep. The results indicated that seawater quality is generally good. Additionally, the Ministry assessed wastewater discharge at 17 locations in Phnom Penh and other provinces, concluding that urban wastewater, after treatment, meets the acceptable standards.

In terms of industrial waste management, the Ministry evaluated 600 factories, enterprises, and special economic zones, finding that 588 factories complied with the set standards, while 12 did not. For medical waste management, inspections were carried out at provincial and district referral hospitals and health centres in 12 locations across five provinces to ensure proper disposal practices.

Further inspections focused on hazardous waste management, with 337 factories, enterprises, and special economic zones under review. Of these, 335 met the required standards, while two did not.

The Ministry also intensified its efforts to enforce environmental laws, inspecting 349 locations, including 342 factories and seven special economic zones. As a result, revision orders were issued to 335 companies, and fines were imposed in 12 cases of pollution violations.

Additionally, the Ministry reported significant achievements in its anti-plastic initiatives, including a notable 88% reduction in plastic bag imports during the first seven months of 2024 compared to the previous year.

The Ministry also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several organisations to further reduce plastic usage and delivered essential waste management equipment, including garbage trucks and bins, to various provincial administrations.

Sophalleth reaffirmed his commitment to taking action against any officials who turn a blind eye to private companies releasing wastewater into water sources.

He recently issued a stern warning to ministry officials who have failed to install automatic monitoring equipment and data management systems in factories for waste disposal and pollution reduction. This warning comes two months after these responsibilities were assigned to the officials.

“If you can’t implement it, please resign before I fire you,” he warned in a recent statement.

The Minister also highlighted the lack of attention given by some officials, particularly in Battambang City and Sihanoukville, to monitoring wastewater discharge into water sources.

“Those officials do not seem to pay attention to this work. If they still refuse to take action, they will face dismissal,” he added.

In addition, technical officers and experts have been assigned to install self-monitoring equipment and data management systems to monitor the discharge of liquid waste from factories and enterprises, aiming to keep Cambodia clean.

On August 30, the Ministry’s technical team installed a self-monitoring device connected to the liquid waste data management system at Phoenix Industrial Co Ltd located in Ratanak Mondul district’s Treng commune, Battambang province.

This measure aims to prevent and address any suspicions of leaks or unauthorised discharge of toxic sewage into the Sangke River, a critical water source connected to Tonle Sap Lake.

Sophalleth encourages factory and enterprise owners to support the Ministry’s campaign to protect Cambodia’s environment, promote cleanliness, and safeguard public health from contamination by plastic waste and sewage. The Minister emphasised that installing self-monitoring equipment in factories is essential to ensuring the safety and health of workers and residents near water sources and industrial sites.

He also noted that the Ministry’s campaign aims to promote healthy factory environments, public health, and good environmental stewardship, creating a win-win scenario for sustainable investment, sound environmental management, and healthy communities.

Self-monitoring equipment plays a crucial role in enabling the Ministry of Environment to oversee, control, and respond promptly to any leaks or unauthorised discharges of toxic liquids from equipped factories, without the need for direct inspections by professionals.

The data collected is automatically transmitted to the Ministry’s control system, and in the event of any technical malfunction, the devices immediately send alerts to the Ministry.

Under the 7th mandate of the National Assembly, the government introduced the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy.

As part of this strategy, Prime Minister Hun Manet directed the Ministry of Environment to develop an approach centred on three pillars: clean, green, and sustainable.

• Tags: liquid waste, MoE