The environment ministry investigated a mango factory in Kampong Speu province that was leaking contaminated wastewater into a fresh water source in early May. - Environment ministry
PHNOM PENH: Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth has doubled down on warnings to the owners and operators of factories — especially mango processing plants — that discharge untreated wastewater into clean water sources, threatening that the ministry now has “a sword to strike with”.
In a recent meeting with the media, the minister stated that after receiving reports from both the public and the media, the ministry has taken action against factories and enterprises that have been secretly discharging dirty water into public water sources.
So far, more than 30 locations — including factories, enterprises and other company sites — have faced legal action.
“The dirty water is discharged from the factories without treatment, straight into our clean water sources — and they do it at 11 or 12 at night. We can’t know about it. When journalists report it or we receive messages, we act immediately. To date, we’ve taken action against more than 30 factories and companies,” he said.
The minister warned factories and enterprises to cease the secret discharge of wastewater and expressed confidence that by the end of the year, clean water sources will no longer be polluted.
“So let me send a message to the factories. Stop. If I catch you, I’ve got a sword — I’ll strike. No exceptions. Our clean water sources will be clean by the end of 2025,” he said.
His metaphorical reference to a “sword” alludes to the strong legal foundation he can now rely on, since the issuance of Sub-Decree No. 03 dated March 12, regarding measures to prevent and reduce pollution in public water areas.
The contents of the sub-decree have been widely publicised by news outlets. In addition, Prime Minister Hun Manet recently ordered the ministry and provincial-municipal administrations shut down any factories which pollute the environment.
During last week’s groundbreaking ceremony of a “green tourism” infrastructure project at Phnom Khnang Phsar in Kampong Speu province, Sophalleth called on citizens and journalists to help by reporting any environmental pollution they discovered.
The call stems from a personal experience in March, when the minister travelled to the Khnang Phsar area and encountered a strong stench coming from a mango processing factory in Oral district at around 4am.
“The mango processing factory was running — and the smell was overwhelming. At 4am, it stank terribly. Please take a look. That’s pollution right there. How can we call it clean if something like that is coming out? That’s just the air — what if they’re also secretly discharging into the water source? It’s unacceptable,” he recounted.
“So I ask for help from our communities. For the sake of our sky, our land and our water, please help me. Our park rangers, department directors and officials are few in number. Sometimes we can’t reach certain places or see what’s happening. If people notice something in their communities, please, let us know,” he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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