Rayong seeks Bt2.3 billion for wastewater treatment projects to cope with developing Eastern Economic Corridor
By The Nation
The Rayong Provincial Administration Organisation has requested a budget from the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee to enhance wastewater treatment in Pluak Daeng district and the province’s pollution control area.
The organisation’s head, Piya Pitutecha, said as the province is one of three provinces where the EEC was located, this project was necessary to prevent environmental impact from the expansion of industrial estates and communities.
“Currently, the water quality in rivers and canals has deteriorated, especially in Pluak Daeng district which is an important water source for consumption,” he said. “If water pollution occurs, it will affect communities in the downstream area.”
He outlined details of the Bt2.309-billion project:
1. Construction of a wastewater treatment system in Pluak Daeng district at a cost of Bt730 million. There are over 55,000 people in the area, producing approximately 4.5 billion cubic metres of wastewater per day.
The project includes the construction of a wastewater treatment system in Map Yang Phon and Pluak Daeng subdistricts at a cost of Bt380 million and Bt350 million respectively, expecting to begin the construction between 2020 and 2021.
2. A project to enhance wastewater treatment system in the province’s pollution control area at a cost of Bt1.579 billion. There are 316,113 people in the area, producing approximately 60 billion cubic metres of wastewater per day.
The project includes the improvement of a wastewater treatment system in Rayong City Municipality and Maptaphut Municipality areas at a cost of Bt804 million and Bt405 million respectively, expecting to begin operation between 2021 and 2022, while the construction of a wastewater treatment system in Ban Chang Municipality area costing Bt370 million is expected to begin construction between 2022 and 2023.
Piya said the province is ready to work on the project because the organisation has already hired advisers to study the feasibility, heard public hearings, and analysed the initial impact on environment.
“If this project is completed, it will benefit over 350,000 people and help improve the province,” he said.
He added that the Wastewater Management Authority would be responsible for the administration during the first year before allowing communities to be responsible for the administration.
Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392296
