PHNOM PENH: A Ministry of Environment working group has taken samples of the water from Yeak Laom Lake in Ratanakkiri, a multi-use area near Banlung town, after the lake turned unusually murky over the past few days. They announced the results of testing on Sunday, January 25.
“The muddy and unusually turbid colour of the water in Yeak Laom Lake over the past two to three days is not caused by any pollution source. It is a naturally occurring phenomenon and not the result of pollution,” it said.
Provincial environment department officials, together with local authorities and members of the protected area community, carried out on-site inspections and cross-checked additional geographical information.
The results showed that there was no land clearing, farming activity or construction work around the lake that could have caused the water to become turbid.
“The lake has not killed fish and does not pose health risks to local residents,” said the department.
They are continuing to take regular water samples for testing in the ministry laboratory.
Local authorities and residents have observed that when natural phenomena or disasters occur in various regional countries, the water of Yeak Laom Lake often turns muddy in this way.
Yeak Laom Lake is located approximately five kilometres south-east of Ratanakkiri provincial town. It was formed by a volcanic eruption around 4,000 years ago and is approximately 800 metres across and 50 metres deep.
The lake is a popular tourist attraction, with walking trails surrounding the lake and indigenous goods available. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
