state of water qualityinfofile.pcd.go.th/mgt/pollution2546_2water_en.pdf · deteriorated water...

[5]THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003

POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

State ofWater Quality



100

2002 200390

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

2001

goodgood fairfair deteriorateddeteriorated Highly deterioratedHighly deteriorated

18

40

3240

2531 33 32 31

39

6Water qualityq y

%%

Inland Water QualityThe water quality status in Thailand during 2003 compared

to those in the years 2001 and 2002 are quite similar as shown inFigure 1. In 2003, the water quality status in the levels of good, fair,deteriorated, and highly deteriorated conditions were 32%, 31%,31%, and 6%, respectively. When compared to the water quality in2001 and 2002, the water sources with good water quality in 2003has slightly decreased while the water sources with fair water qualityincreased. It was also found in 2003 that the water sources withdeteriorated water quality changed insignificantly. Although the changein water quality depends on many factors such as water quantity, water sources with highly deteriorated waterquality have remained the same sources each year.

Deteriorated water quality is a consequence of wastewater discharge from various sources such as

domestic, agricultural, and industrial areas. The generated wastewater has not been appropriately treated before

it is discharged into the receiving water body. The main water pollution in the receiving water body are from the

contamination of fecal coliform bacteria, high biological oxygen demand levels (BOD) causing low dissolved

oxygen (DO) levels, and high ammonia levels.

The water quality of 49 main rivers and 4 standing surface water resources (the Kwan Payao Lake, Bung

Boraped Lake, Nonghan Lake, and Songkhla Lake) was investigated in 2003. The highly deteriorated water quality

condition was found in the lower Chao Phraya River from Nonthaburi province to the estuary in Samutprakarn

province, the lower Thachin River from Nakornchaisri district, Nakornpathom province to the estuary in Muang

district, Samutsakorn province, the lower Lamtakong River in Muang district, Nakornratchasrima, and the Songkhla

Lake in Muang district, Songkhla province (Table1 and Figure.2).

Figure 1. Water quality status of the surface water resources throughout Thailandin 2001, 2002, and 2003



Figure 2. Surface water quality of Thailand 2003.

Ping

Kok

Ing

Nan

Nan

Noi

Chao Phraya

Prachinburi

PrasaeRayong

Bangpakong

Lamtakong

Moon

Seaw

Pong

Loei

Songkram

Oon

Nonghan Lake

Moon

Moon

Lamchee

CheeChee

Pasak

LapburiThachin

Kwae Yai

Maeklong

Petchburi

Pranburi

Kuiburi

Chumporn

Langsuan

Pumduang

Tapee

Pakpanang

Trang

Songkhla Lake

PattaniSaiburi

Kwae Noi

Ping

Ping

Wang

Kilometers

Symbol

Not Samples

Good

Fair

Deteriorated

Highly Deteriorated

N

100 0 100 200



Water Northern Central Eastern Northeastern Southern Percentage of

quality Region Region Region Region Region all surface waters

Kwae Yai, Upper Pattani

Ing Kwae Noi, Chee, Pong, Oon, Saiburi, Upper

Good Maejang Sakaekrang, Weru, Trad Seaw, Lamchee, Tapee, Thale 32

Upper Petchburi Nonghan Lake Luang, Thale

Noi

Kok, Li, Ping, Upper DhaoBangpakong,

Moon, Pakpanang,

Fair Kwan Payao Lake, Phraya, UpperPrachinburi,

Loei, Pumduang, 31

Bung Boraped Lake Thachin, KuiburiNakornnayok,

Lampaw Lower TapeePagrad, Chantaburi

Middle Chao Phraya,

Middle Thachin,Lower Pattani,

DeterioratedWang, Yom. Lopburi, Noi, Pasak, Rayong,

Upper Lamtakong Trang, Chumporn,31

Nan, Kuang Maeklong, Lower PrasaeLangsuan

Petchburi,

Pranburi

Highly - Lower Chao Phraya, - Lower Songkhla 6

deteriorated Lower Thachin Lamtakong Lake

The lower Chao Phraya River, the lower Thachin River, and the lower Lamtakong River have confronted

the highly deteriorated water quality problem for many years due to high levels of total coliform bacteria and

fecal coliform bacteria. In 2002, Songkhla Lake had deteriorated water quality where the total coliform bacteria

and fecal coliform bacteria counts were 10,000 and 4,000 units, respectively. Then in 2003 Songkhla Lake had a

highly deteriorated water quality where the total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria counts were

36,900 and 26,800 units, respectively. The highly deteriorated water quality occurred only at the end of the

Samrong Canal in Muang district, Songkhla province, as a result of the domestic wastewater discharge without

proper treatment. There are many factors which effect water quality other than proper treatment, such as

precipitation and seawater level. Therefore, the water quality of the Songkhla Lake in 2002, when there was

greater precipitation, was better than that of 2003 due to lower BOD levels in the water flowing into the Songkhla

Lake.

Table 1. Summary of water quality status of the main surface water resources in Thailand in 2003.



100

80

60

40

20

0

83

14

2 1

class standard

% DO (mg/L) BOD (mg/L) TCB (unit) FCB (unit) NH3 (mg/L)

2 3 below

(> 6.0)(> 6.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0) (> 2.0)(> 2.0) (< 2.0)(< 2.0)

83

511

1

class standard2 3 4 below

(< 1.5)(< 1.5) (< 2.0)(< 2.0) (< 4.0)(< 4.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0)

class standard

17

3

(< 20,000)(< 20 000)

67

2

(< 5,000)(< 5 000)

16

below

(> 20,000)(> 20 000)

class standard

27

3

(< 4,000)(< 4 000)

58

2

(< 1,000)(< 1 000)

15

below

(> 4,000)(> 4 000)

standard

1(> 0.5)(> 0.5)

99

meet

(< 0.5)(< 0.5)

below

Figure 3. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in northern region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standard.

Northern RegionThe water quality of 11 main rivers, which are the Ping River, Wang River, Yom River, Nan River, Kuang

River, Kok River, Li River, Ing River, and Maejang River, and 2 standing surface water resources, which are the

Kwan Payao Lake and Bung Boraped Lake were investigated. The Ing River and Maejang River had good water

quality. While the Li River, Ping River, Kok River, and the Kwan Payao Lake and Bung Boraped Lake had fair water

quality conditions. The Wang River, Yom River, Nan River, and Kuang River had deteriorated water quality.

From the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, the Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal

coliform bacteria count of over 80% of the water quality monitoring stations, the water sources could be

categorized as class 2 according to the surface water quality standard. The surface water quality standard for

class 2 water sources states that the DO concentration equals or is greater than 6.0 mg/L, the BOD concentration

equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units.

The exception are at Khundej Bridge in Muang district, Payao province that had an average DO value of

1.0 mg/L and municipal areas where high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria were found (Table 2

and Figure 3).

The main problem was the contamination of fecal coliform bacteria especially in communities locating

around the Ping River, Wang River, Yom River, Nan River, and Kuang River in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae,

Pitsanulok, and Lampoon, respectively.



Table 2. Water quality of the surface water resources in nortthern region in 2003

Important water quality parameters

Station DO BOD TCB FCB NH3 Water Quality problems

(mg/L) (mg/L) (unit*) (unit*) (mg/L)

Ping 7.4 0.9 11,300 3,200 0.12 fair -

Wang 8.2 1.0 37,500 8,400 0.11 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Yom 7.1 0.7 76,000 3,900 0.08 deteriorated TCB

Nan 7.2 0.8 28,500 8,600 0.06 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Kuang 6.3 1.4 38,900 18,700 0.15 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Kok 7.3 0.8 4,400 1,300 0.06 fair -

Li 7.5 0.9 6,100 1,400 0.08 fair -

Ing 7.5 0.9 6,100 1,400 0.08 good -

Maejang 7.0 1.0 900 460 0.06 good -

Kwan Payao Lake 6.3 2.0 2,500 180 0.04 fair -

Bung Boraped Lake 7.1 1.7 35 5 0.10 fair -

Average 7.2 1.1 19,300 4,300 0.08 - -

Class 2 >6.0 <1.5 < 5,000 <1,000 <0.5 good -

Class 3 >4.0 <2.0 < 20,000 <4,000 <0.5 fair -

Class 4 >2.0 <4.0 - - <0.5 deteriorated -

Remark : * unit = MPN per 100 ml DO = dissolved oxygen

BOD = biological oxygen demand FCB = fecal coliform bacteria

TCB = total coliform bacteria NH3 = ammonia



100

80

60

40

20

0

33 35

1219

%

(> 6.0)(> 6.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0) (> 2.0)(> 2.0) (< 2.0)(< 2.0)

81

8 6 6

(< 1.5)(< 1.5) (< 2.0)(< 2.0) (< 4.0)(< 4.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0)

25

(< 20,000)(< 20 000)

44

(< 5,000)(< 5 000)

31

(> 20,000)(> 20 000)

30

(< 4,000)(< 4 000)

38

(< 1,000)(< 1 000)

32

(> 4,000)(> 4 000)

17

(> 0.5)(> 0.5)

83

(< 0.5)(< 0.5)

DO (mg/L) BOD (mg/L) TCB (unit) FCB (unit) NH3 (mg/L)

class standard2 3 below


class standard32 below


standardmeet below

Figure 4. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in central region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standard.

Central RegionThe water quality of 12 main rivers, which are the Chao Phraya River, Thachin River, Maeklong River,

Kwae Yai River, Kwae Noi River, Pasak River, Lopburi River, Noi River, Sakaekrang River, Petchburi River, Pranburi

River, and Kuiburi River, was investigated. The Kwai Noi River, Kwai Yai River, upper Petchburi River and Sakaekrang

River had good water quality conditions. While the upper Chao Phraya River, Kuiburi River, and upper Thachin

River had fair water quality conditions. The lower Petchburi River, Noi River, Pranburi River, Pasak River, Lopburi

River, Maeklong River, middle Chao Phraya River, and middle Thachin River had deteriorated water quality

conditions. The lower Thachin and Chao Phraya River had highly deteriorated water quality conditions.

From the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal




equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units. High

contamination of FCB was found in dense domestic areas of each river (Table 3 and Figure 4).

The main problems were the low DO concentration and contamination of fecal coliform bacteria

especially in the lower Chao Phraya River starting from Muang district, Nonthaburi province flowing through

Bangkok and ending at the estuary in Muang district, Samutprakarn province (the average DO concentration

was 1.2 mg/L and the average FCB count was 51,800 units) and the lower Thachin River from Nakornchaisri

district, Nakornpathom province to Muang district, Samutsakorn province (the average DO concentration was 0.9

mg/l and the average FCB count is 27,700 units). The same problem could also be found in the Maeklong River

at Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi province (the average FCB count was 47,000 units), the Pasak River at Muang

district, Saraburi province (the average FCB count was 200,000 units), and the Petchburi River at Muang district,

Petchburi province (the average FCB count was 22,500 units).



Table 3. Water quality of the surface water resources in central region in 2003.

Imporatant water quality parameters

Station DO BOD TCB FCB NH3 Water quality Problems


Upper Chao Phraya 6.7 0.7 4,800 1,700 0.10 fair -

Mid Chao Phraya 4.4 0.7 11,200 4,600 0.12 deteriorated FCB

Lower Choa Phraya 1.2 1.8 264,200 51,800 0.59 highly deteriorated DO, TCB, FCB, NH3

Upper Thachin 4.7 1.0 7,800 1,300 0.24 fair -

Mid Thachin 1.3 2.3 20,600 2,700 0.57 deteriorated DO, TCB, NH3

Lower Thachin 0.9 3.5 95,500 27,700 1.25 highly deteriorated DO, TCB, FCB, NH3

Maeklong 5.8 1.1 85,700 14,700 0.10 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Kwae Yai 4.8 0.6 1,150 200 0.13 good -

Kwae Noi 6.2 0.6 14,600 600 0.06 good -

Pasak 5.8 0.8 123,000 21,900 0.11 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Lopburi 4.8 1.3 29,500 4,300 0.16 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Noi 5.5 0.5 14,300 4,600 0.08 deteriorated FCB

Sakaekrang 5.7 1.0 2,500 820 0.13 good -

Upper Petchburi 3.7 0.6 300 2 0.36 good -

Lower Petchburi 4.9 2.2 115,000 25,800 0.17 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Pranburi 4.8 0.6 41,200 2,600 0.17 deteriorated TCB

Kuiburi 5.7 1.3 9,000 350 0.03 fair -

Average 4.5 1.2 49,400 9,700 0.26 - TCB, FCB

Class 2 >6.0 <1.5 <5,000 <1,000 <0.5 good -

Class 3 >4.0 <2.0 <20,000 <4,000 <0.5 fair -

Class 4 >2.0 <4.0 - - <0.5 deteriorated -






Northeastern RegionThe water quality of 11 main streams, which are the Pong River, Chee River, Moon River, Lampaw River,

Seaw River, Songkram River, Loei River, Oon River, Lamchee River, and Lamtakong River, and Nonghan lake, a

surface water resource, was investigated. Fair water quality could be found in the Moon River, Lampaw River,

and Loei River. Deteriorated and highly deteriorated conditions could be detected in the upper Lamtakong and

lower Lamtakong River, respectively.

Most northeastern surface water sources had good water quality. From the dissolved oxygen (DO)

concentration, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal coliform bacteria count of over 80% of the

water quality monitoring stations, the water sources could be categorized as class 2 according to the surface

water quality standard. The surface water quality standard for class 2 water sources states that the DO

concentration equals or is greater than 6.0 mg/L, the BOD concentration equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the

fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units.

The exceptions were at the lower Lamtakong River at Muang district, Nakornratchasrima province which

had average BOD of 6.9 mg/L (Table 4 and Figure 5). Although serious water pollution was not found,

contamination of fecal coliform bacteria could be detected in domestic areas. The deteriorated water quality

areas where high contamination of bacteria was found were the Moon River in Muang district, Ubonratchathani

province (the average FCB count was 4,600 units), the Leoi River in Wangsapoong district, Leoi province (the

average FCB count was 12,600 units), and the lower Lamtakong River in Muang and Pakchong districts,

Nakornratchasrima province (the average FCB count were 44,500 and 7,300 units, respectively).

100

80

60

40

20

0

69

26

4 1

%

(> 6.0)(> 6.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0) (> 2.0)(> 2.0) (< 2.0)(< 2.0)

77

138

2

(< 1.5)(< 1.5) (< 2.0)(< 2.0) (< 4.0)(< 4.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0)

8

(< 20,000)(< 20 000)

85

(< 5,000)(< 5 000)

7

(> 20,000)(> 20 000)

14

(< 4,000)(< 4 000)

79

(< 1,000)(< 1 000)

7

(> 4,000)(> 4 000)

3

(> 0.5)(> 0.5)

97

(< 0.5)(< 0.5)






standardmeet below

Figure 5. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in northeastern region in 2003 corresponding to the surfacewater quality standard.



Table 4. Water quality of the surface water resources in northeastern region in 2003.




Pong 5.9 0.9 3,500 620 0.10 good -

Chee 6.5 1.1 1,500 250 0.12 good -

Moon 6.4 1.2 6,500 680 0.13 fair -

Lampaw 7.1 0.9 6,500 3,500 0.12 fair -

Seaw 5.3 1.0 3,370 501 0.12 good -

Songkram 6.9 1.5 540 300 0.09 good -

Loei 7.6 1.0 8,300 3,600 0.07 fair -

Oon 6.4 1.2 550 180 0.12 good -

Lamchee 6.3 1.3 2,000 360 0.20 good -

Upper Lamtakong 7.3 2.2 14,300 4,600 0.06 deteriorated FCB

Lower Lamtakong 3.5 5.9 86,800 44,500 1.54 highly deteriorated BOD, TCB, FCB, NH3

Nonghan Lake 7.9 0.7 260 110 0.05 good -

Average 6.5 1.0 3,800 600 0.10 - -

Class 2 > 6.0 < 1.5 < 5,000 < 1,000 < 0.5 good -

Class 3 > 4.0 < 2.0 < 20,000 < 4,000 < 0.5 fair -

Class 4 > 2.0 < 4.0 - - < 0.5 deteriorated -






Eastern RegionThe water quality of the nine main rivers, which are the Bangpakong River, Prachinburi River, Nakornnayok

River, Rayong River, Prasae River, Pangrad River, Chantaburi River, Weru River, and Trad River, was investigated.

Trad and Weru Rivers had good water quality while Prachinburi River, Bangpakong River, Chantaburi River,

Pangrad River, and Nakornnayok River had fair water quality. Rayong and Prasae Rivers had deteriorated water

quality.

The DO concentration could be categorized as a surface water resource type 3 (DO concentration

equals or is greater than 4.0 mg/L). The BOD concentration of over 80% of all water quality monitoring stations

could be categorized as a surface water resource type 2 (BOD concentration equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L).

The contamination of fecal coliform bacteria could be categorized as a surface water resource type 2 (fecal

coliform bacteria concentration equals or is less than 1,000 units) (Table 5 and Figure 6).

The main water quality issue of eastern surface water is seawater intrusion during the dry season. The

contamination of fecal coliform bacteria was also found especially in wastewater discharge from communities

located on both sides of the rivers which are the Bangpakong River in Bangkla district, Chacherngsao province

(average FCB of 8,100 units), the Rayong River in Muang district, Rayong province (average FCB of 24,900 units),

the Prasae River in Klang district, Rayong province (average FCB of 4,400 units), and the Chantaburi River in

Muang district, Chantaburi province (average FCB of 6,600 units).

100

80

60

40

20

0

1924

33

4

%

(> 6.0)(> 6.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0) (> 2.0)(> 2.0) (< 2.0)(< 2.0)

90

82 1

(< 1.5)(< 1.5) (< 2.0)(< 2.0) (< 4.0)(< 4.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0)

24

(< 20,000)(< 20 000)

63

(< 5,000)(< 5 000)

12

(> 20,000)(> 20 000)

23

(< 4,000)(< 4 000)

59

(< 1,000)(< 1 000)

18

(> 4,000)(> 4 000)

3

(< 0.5)(< 0.5)

97

(< 0.5)(< 0.5)






standardmeet below

Figure 6. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in eastern region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standard.



Table 5. Water quality of the surface water resources in eastern region in 2003.




Bangpakong 3.9 1.2 9,800 3,000 0.16 fair -

Prachinburi 5.5 0.8 3,500 1,600 0.05 fair -

Nakornayok 4.6 0.7 7,100 1,200 0.15 fair -

Rayong 4.6 0.8 183,100 16,800 0.26 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Prasae 3.4 0.6 12,100 4,400 0.23 deteriorated FCB

Pangrad 5.7 1.4 5,800 2,500 0.29 fair -

Chantaburi 5.5 0.7 9,400 1,600 0.14 fair -

Weru 5.1 0.9 1,300 240 0.11 good -

Trad 5.2 0.7 4,500 660 0.14 good -

Average 6.5 1.0 3,800 600 0.10 - -

Class 2 > 6.0 < 1.5 < 5,000 < 1,000 < 0.5 good -

Class 3 > 4.0 < 2.0 < 20,000 < 4,000 < 0.5 fair -







Southern RegionThe water quality of 11 main streams, which are the Pakpanang River, Tapee-Pumduang River, Chumporn

River, Langsuan River, Trang River, Saiburi River, and Pattani River, and the Songkla Lake, Thale Noi Sea, and Thale

Luang Sea, was investigated. Good water quality could be found in the upper Tapee and Pattani Rivers, Thale

Noi Sea, Thale Luang Sea, and Saiburi River while fair water quality could be detected in the Pumduang River,

Pakpanang River, and lower Tapee River. Deteriorated condition was found in the lower Pattani River, Langsuan

River, Trang River, and Chumporn River while highly deteriorated condition was investigated in the Songkhla Lake.

From the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal




equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units (Table 6

and Figure 7).

The Songkhla Lake in Muang district, Songkhla province has water quality problem in almost every

parameters. The DO concentration was 0 mg/L, BOD level was 7.2 mg/L, FCB count was 160,000 units, and

ammonia concentration was 6.7 mg/L (standard ammonia concentration of all surface water classes is no more

than 0.5 mg/L), which was 13 times greater than the water quality standard.

Contamination of fecal coliform bacteria was the main problem at the estuaries of Pattani River in

Muang district, Pattani province (average FCB count was 8,000 units), the Langsuan River in Langsuan district,

Chumporn province (average FCB count was 5,900 units), and the Chumporn River in Muang district, Chumporn

province (average FCB count was 16,500 units).

100

80

60

40

20

0

45

1924

12

%–

(> 6.0)(> 6.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0) (> 2.0)(> 2.0) (< 2.0)(< 2.0)

72

14 12

2(< 1.5)(< 1.5) (< 2.0)(< 2.0) (< 4.0)(< 4.0) (> 4.0)(> 4.0)

12

(< 20,000)(< 20 000)

74

(< 5,000)(< 5 000)

14

(> 20,000)(> 20 000)

17

(< 4,000)(< 4 000)

71

(< 1,000)(< 1 000)

12

(> 4,000)(> 4 000)

4

(> 0.5)(> 0.5)

96

(< 0.5)(< 0.5)






standardmeet below

Figure 7. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in southern region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standard.



Table 6. Water quality of the surface water resources in southern region in 2003.




Pakpanang 4.0 1.6 2,900 700 0.20 fair -

Upper Tapee 8.4 0.6 700 2 0.03 good -

Lower Tapee 6.4 0.6 9,600 2,400 0.05 fair -

Pumduang 7.6 0.6 17,400 300 0.05 fair -

Chumporn 5.9 0.8 123,300 27,700 0.09 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Langsuan 6.9 0.6 95,300 5,000 0.04 deteriorated TCB, FCB

Trang 5.5 0.6 44,100 950 0.10 deteriorated TCB

Saiburi 7.8 0.6 3,300 700 0.01 good -

Upper Pattani 5.8 0.6 600 600 0.02 good -

Lower Pattani 5.9 0.8 4,900 4,900 0.11 deteriorated FCB

Thale Noi Lake 6.6 0.6 570 270 0.09 good -

Thale Luang Lake 7.9 1.0 2,500 340 0.06 good -

Songkhla Lake 5.6 1.5 36,900 26,800 1.13 highly deteriorated TCB, FCB, NH3

Average 5.1 1.2 14,900 3,600 0.21 - -

Class 2 > 6.0 < 1.5 < 5,000 < 1,000 < 0.5 good -

Class 3 > 4.0 < 2.0 < 20,000 < 4,000 < 0.5 fair -







1 The parabeters used for calculation are DO, Total Coliform Boeteria, Phosphote-P, Nitrate-N, Temperature, Suspended Solids, pH,

Amuonia-N and Pesticides. If the toxic elements and Pesticides values exceed the coostal marine water quality standards the water

quality index will equal zero.

Figure 1. Data from monitoring coastal marine waterquality in B.E. 2546 (2003)

Excellent

Deteriorated

Fair

Good

7%3%

29%61%

Coastal Marine Water QualityThe coastal water quality monitoring data of Thailand from

240 stations in 23 provinces and the assessment from the MarineWater Quality Index1 shows that 7 percent of the stations had excellentwater quality, 61 percent had good water quality, 29 percent had fairwater quality and 3 percent had deteriorated water quality. The data isshown in figure 1 and the coastal water quality index map is shownin figure 2.

The areas with deteriorated marine water quality are

in the inner gulf of Thailand. These areas are the estuaries of

the Chao Phraya river, the Thachin river, the Maeklong river

and the 12 Thanwa Canal (Samutprakarn province). These

areas had deteriorated water quality due to the waste load

from activities on land such as the communities, industries and

agriculture. The dissolved oxygen values and the total coliform

bacteria values were not within the coastal marine water

quality standards. More wastewater was released at the 12

Thanwa Canal estuary, where many industrial factories were

densely situated. There was also a problem with Tributyltin

(TBT) contamination which is a component in antifouling paint.

TBT causes sexual change problems in aquatic animals and

imbalances the ecological system. The TBT contamination

exceeded the USEPA and ASEAN standard of 10 ng/L in

many areas with deep-sea ports.



Inner Gulf of Thailand (the estuaries of 4 main rivers)Most of the monitoring data show that the water quality in the

area was within the coastal marine water quality standards. The exceptions

were the following, the dissolved oxygen concentrations were below the

4.0 mg/L standard at the Thachin and Chao Phraya river estuaries (1.8 -

3.5 mg/L) and the 12 Thanwa Canal estuary (0.3 mg/L).

The total coliform bacteria counts exceeded the 1000 mpn/mL

standard at the Chao Phraya, Thachin and Maeklong river estuaries

(900 - 16,000 mpn/mL). At the Bangpakong river estuary the Vibrio

parahaemolyticus bacteria count, which causes diarrhea, was high at

70 CFU per mL. High nitrogen and phosphorus values were also detected

at the Chao Phraya and Thachin river estuaries.

As for Heavy metals, manganese concentrations exceeded the

standards of 100 µg/L at the Chao Phraya river estuary (102 µg/L), theThachin river estuary (62-226 µg/L), the Banpakong river estuary (369-547 µg/L) and the 12 Thanwa canal estuary (301 µg/L). Chromium

concentration also exceeded the standards of 100 µg/L at the 12

Thanwa canal estuary (161 µg/L).High TBT concentration was found in several stations as follows,

the Maeklong river estuary (13-22 ng/L) the Thachin river estuary (17-23

ng/L) and the Chao Phraya river estuary (18 ng/L). Suspended solids

values at the 12 Thanwa canal estuary was 97 mg/L and at the Bangpakong

river estuary the value was 79-203 mg/L.

Eastern Gulf of Thailand (Chonburi province - Trad province)Most of the monitoring data show that the water quality in the


were the following, the dissolved oxygen concentrations were slightly

below the 4.0 mg/L standard at the Rayong river estuary (3.1 mg/L) and

Laem Ngob port (3.5 mg/L).

The total coliform bacteria values exceeded the 1000 MPN/mL

standard at the Laem Chabang port (1,700 -16,000 MPN/mL). The Vibrio

parahaemolyticus bacteria value, which causes diarrhea, was high in the

Angsila area at 3,400 CFU per mL and in the vicinity of oyster farms in

Chonburi Bay at 1,300 CFU per mL.



High phosphate concentrations were detected at Saithong Beach

(58.2 µg/L). Heavy metals concentration were within standard values,

except for manganese concentration which exceeded the standards at

Laem Chabang port (581 µg/L) and at the estuary of Yai canal in TradProvince (122 µg/L). Iron concentrations exceeded the 300 µg/L standardin the area of Weru river estuary (2,500 µg/L) and Yai canal estuary(2,200 µg/L).

TBT concentrations in coastal marine waters are high in the area

of Chonburi bay (13.2 ng/L), Udom bay (45-52 ng/L), Laem Chabang

port (12-43 ng/L) and Mabtaput, Rayong province (15 ng/L). Suspended

solids values were high at Laem Chabang port (130 mg/L), Chantaburi

river estuary (123 mg/L), Weru river estuary (112 mg/L), Laem Ngob port

(148 mg/L) and Yai canal estuary (122 mg/L) due to severe coastal

erosion.

Western Gulf of Thailand (Petchburi province -Narathiwat province)Most of the monitoring data shows that the water quality in the


were areas with high counts of total coliform bacteria (2,400 -16,000

units) as follows, the estuaries of Ban Bangtaboon canal, Ban Laem

canal in Petchburi province, mid-Prachuabkirikhan bay, the estuaries of

Chumporn river, Langsuan river, Bangsaphan canal, Maenam market on

Samui Island, Rin Beach bay on Pha-ngan Island, the estuaries of Thakoei

canal, Thasoong canal, Pattani river and Bangnara canal in Narathiwat

province. The Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria count was high in the

area of Ban Bangtaboon in Petchburi province.

Manganese concentrations exceeded the standards in the

estuaries of Ban Bangtaboon canal (118 µg/L), Ban Laem canal (268

µg/L) in Petchburi province, Bangsaphan noi canal (142 µg/L) in

Prachuabkirikhan province and Thakoei canal (211 µg/L), Surathani

province. Iron concentrations were high in most areas.

There were high TBT concentrations at the Samui island ferry pier

(20 ng/L), Langsuan river estuary (15 ng/L), and Pattani river estuary (14

ng/L). High suspended solids values were detected at Thakoei canal

estuary, Thachang district (195-406 mg/L) and Samret beach, Thachana

district (235-274 mg/L), Surathani province.



Andaman Coast (Ranong province - Satun province)Most of the monitoring data shows that the water quality in the area was within the coastal marine

water quality standards. The exceptions were Charndamri beach, Ranong province and Naiharn beach, Phuket

province which had low dissolved oxygen concentrations (2.8-3.0 mg/L). High counts of total coliform bacteria

(16,000 units) were detected in the areas of Charndamri beach, Ranong province and Naiharn beach, Patong

beach, Rawai beach, Phuket province, Ban Laemsak, Phannga province, Tonsai bay, Phi Phi island and Nopparatara

beach, Krabi province.

Iron concentrations were high in most areas. There were high TBT concentrations at the pier on Tonsai

bay, Phi Phi island (33 ng/L). Suspended solids values (3-43 mg/L) were lower than other regions.

When compared to data from previous years (Table 1) areas with excellent water quality has decreased

from 47% to 7%, areas with good water quality has increased from 36% to 61%, areas with fair water quality has

increased from 11 % to 29% and areas with deteriorated water quality has decreased from 6% to 3%. The inner

gulf of Thailand, at the four main river estuaries, remain the areas with deteriorated water quality.

Table 1. Marine water quality status 2001-2003 (%of sampling stations)

Year Excellent Good Fair Deteriorated Highly Deteriorated

2001 6 37 48 8 1

2002 47 36 11 6 0

2003 7 61 29 3 0

The main problems discovered were low DO concentrations and high counts of total coliform bacteria

which exceeded the standard of 1,000 units. This was due to the dense population and increased industrial

activities in the four main river estuaries.

Most heavy metal concentrations were within the marine water quality standards. The exceptions were

manganese and iron which still exceeded the standards. This is due to the geochemical nature of the coastal

sediments which contain high concentrations of iron. TBT monitoring was initiated this year and high levels of TBT,

exceeding the ASEAN marine water quality of 10 ng/L, were found in many areas especially at the estuaries of

the main rivers and deep sea ports such as Laem Chabang. Also at the fish piers and the estuaries of rivers and

canals, plastic debris was frequently found floating on the water surface. Oil sheen was frequently seen on the

water surface of many fish piers and ports such as Sattahip fish pier, Samaesan fish pier in Chonburi province and

at the ferry pier at Tonsai beach, Phi Phi island, Krabi province.



60 80 100 120 140 160 k.m.

N

0 20 40

Cambodia

Ratchaburi

Petchburi

Myanmar

Chumporn

Ranong

Suratthani

Phangnga

Krabi Nakornsrithammarat

Trang

Satun Songkhla

Yala

Narathiwat

Phuket

Phi Phi Is.

Lanta Is.

Phangan Is.

Tao Is.

Samui Is.

Tarutao Is.

Adang Rawi Is.

Pattalung

Rayong

Chang Is.

1 Bangkok

2 Samutsongkram

3 Samutsakorn

4 Samutprakarn

Water Quality Index Deteriorated

Fair

Good

Excellent

Kud Is.

Chonburi

Chantaburi

Trad

Chacherngsao

Gulf of Thailand

Malaysia

1

23 4

Prachuabkirikhan

Pattani

Figure 2. Coastal marine water quality index 2003



Environmental Quality Indexfor Beaches and Islands

Pollution Control Department conducted an evaluation of theenvironmental quality for beaches and islands by utilizing theenvironmental quality index1 for tourist beaches. The index combinesthe following four aspects.

1) Coastal marine water quality which includes total coliformbacteria and suspended solids.

2) Amount of leftover garbage which includes the garbagein the water, on the beaches and in the seaside communities.

3) Beach condition which considers sand dunes, beach erosion and coral reef conditions.4) Land use such as beach encroachment.The evaluation was conducted 6 times, four times during the high tourist season (February, March,

April and December, 2003) and twice during the low season (June and August, 2003). The criteria andweighting of each aspect and the calculation method are in table 13 of the appendix.

The results from the evaluation of 14 beaches in 2003 revealed that the beaches with good environmental

quality were Saikaew beach, Huahin beach, Lamai beach, Chaweng beach, Patong beach, Karon beach, Loh

Dalam beach and Yao beach. The beaches with average environmental quality were Bangsaen beach,

Wonnapa beach, Pattaya beach, Jomtien beach, Cha-am beach and Tonsai beach (figure 1.). When compared

to the evaluations in 2002, most of the beaches had good environmental quality. Jomtien beach environmental

quality condition improved from poor to average. Lamai beach, Patong beach and Loh Dalam beach,

environmental quality conditions improved from average to good. However, some leftover garbage was found

scattered in the sea and on the beaches, especially during March and April in many areas such as Bangsaen

beach, Pattaya beach, Jomtien beach, Patong beach and Tonsai Beach. Sometimes the total coliform bacteria

exceeded the coastal marine water quality standards i.e. Jomtien beach in August and Chaweng beach in

March.

The results of the evaluation was publicized in the annual state of the pollution report, the state of water

quality report and public relations posters on the beaches to disseminate the information to the public and to the

tourists to promote cooperation in environmental conservation.

1 Pollution Control Department developed the index as a tool to evaluate the environmental conditions of the beach appropriate for tourism. The index

combines 4 aspects and divided the environmental quality conditions into 5 levels which are excellent, good, average, poor and very poor.



Figure 1. Environmental Qauality Index for Beaches and Islands 2003

Cha-am

Huahin

Patong

Karon

Bangsaen

Loh dalam

Pattaya

Chaweng

Sai Kaew

Lamai

Tonsai Hadyai

Jomtien



Figure 1. Oil collection on the beach

Oil Spill on the coast ofChumporn

On the 18th of February 2003, Pollution Control Departmentwas informed by the Chumporn provincial office of natural resourcesand environment (PONRE) that some oil spill had been discoveredon the shores of Chumporn province in the area of Bormau beach.PCD then contacted the Marine Department, the Royal Thai Navyand local authorities to survey the area and eliminate the oil spill.

Chumporn PONRE and the Marine Transportation Office 4

Chumporn branch surveyed the area of Bormau beach, Banlaemthaen

beach, Ban Chaithale, Thungwualaen, and Phanangtug bay, a total

distance of 35 kilometers. They discovered many 6-12 inches diameter

patches of black viscous oil scattered along the coastline. The densest

areas were Bormau beach and Phanangtug bay. They estimated

that the oil spill occurred over 2 days ago. It was suspected that the

oil spill may have occurred in the case of oil transfer between ships

or from passing ships illegally dumping their waste, since the route

from Bangkok to Songkhla passes the area. However aerial inspections

by the Royal Thai Navy did not discover any suspicious ships.

PCD then provided technical advice to the Chumporn PONRE

on the methods to cleanup the beaches. The oil patches were

collected into black plastic bags (figure 1.) and disposed in a landfill

which would not contaminate any water sources. The oil samples

collected from the beaches, were analyzed for the type and

composition of the carbon in the oil as well as to discover the origins.

The 8 samples were analyzed by studying the chromatogram (figure

2.). The results indicated that the oil had the same hydrocarbon

composition as crude oil. However since the oil spill had already

occurred for a few days, the composition had greatly changed.

In regards to the investigation of the origins of the oil spill, at

present there is a lack of systematical data collection such as each

shipûs route, departure time. Therefore it is difficult to check which

ship passed by in the time range and impossible to collect oil samples

from the suspected ships to compare the hydrocarbon composition

to the samples collected on the shoreline of Chumporn.



Pollution Control Department has received these reports repeatedly. For example, during a certain period

of the year Phuket province encounters this problem every year. One way of preventing and solving this problem

is to provide reception facilities for ship oil waste at the ports then disposing the waste appropriately. This would

decrease the amount of waste discharged into the sea.

At present the Marine Department has designated the port zones of Bangkok Port, Sriracha Port,

Mabtaput Port, Songkhla Port and Phuket Port as ports that must provide ship waste collection and treatment

services. These services at present are provided by nine qualified private companies.

The reception facilities for oil waste from ships is a regulation to control and protect the marine

environment from waste dumping from ships which is the main point of the International Convention for the

Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). Therefore it is necessary to accelerate the accession of

MARPOL 73/78 to implement the regulations to control and protect the marine environment from waste dumping

from ships.

Figure 2. Chromatogram of carbon composition in the oil sample



Figure 1. Two types of water sampling

Lead Contamination in the UpperMaeklong Watershed

Upper Maeklong watershed area includes the Maeklong river, Kwae Noi river and Kwae Yai river.Kanchanaburi province has many important mines in Thailand. In the past there were many mining activitiesincluding lead mining in Thong Phaphum district, Srisawad district and Sangkhlaburi district. Lead miningwithout good environmental management has caused many environmental problems such as lead contaminationin Klity creek, causing hardship to the villagers living further downstream as they could not utilize the waterfrom the creek. Pollution Control Department, coordinating with local and provincial authorities to help resolvethe problem, had monitored the water quality of the creek as well as the lead concentration in the water andsediments of Klity creek.

In 1998 water and sediment samples were taken from Klity creek and

the high lead concentrations in the water were in the range of 0.4-0.6

mg/L at a point downstream from the mine, while the standard for

surface water quality is less than 0.05 mg/L. The sediment samples taken

upstream from the mine had lead concentrations in the range of 181-567

mg/kg. Compared to the sediments taken downstream with lead

concentrations of 1,316-112,704 mg/kg, clearly shows that the sediment

was highly contaminated with lead. Pollution Control Department, Forestry

Department and Department of Primary Industries and Mines (currently

known as the Department of Mineral Resources) cooperated in the

cleanup of Klity creek downstream from the mine which had high lead

concentrations in the sediments. Department of Primary Industries and

Mines had also closed down the mine at that time.

In 2003, Pollution Control Department surveyed and conducted a risk

assessment of lead contamination in the upper Maeklong watershed

and discovered that the lead concentrations in the water in the area

were in the range of 0.0024-0.05 mg/L, which is below the surface water

quality standard of 0.05 mg/L.



Soil and sediment samples were also taken to test for lead

contamination in the sediments of Klity creek downstream from the mine.

The samples still had high lead concentrations of 31,125 mg/kg although

it had decreased after the cleanup efforts of Pollution Control Department

and related agencies in 1998. These results correspond with the water

quality monitoring data of kwae Noi river, Kwae Yai river and Maeklong

river covering the areas in the provinces of Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi

and Samutsongkram during 1997-2006. The data indicated that the lead

concentration in the water were below the surface water quality standard

of 0.05 mg/L.

In order to prevent and resolve water pollution problems in the

Maeklong watershed, especially Klity creek, there were 3 options proposed.

The first option is to allow the community to remain in the area and end

the mine concession Second option is to allow both the community and

the mining to remain in the area. Third option is to relocate the community

and allow the mining to remain. Studies on the society and economy

should be included. There should also be a cleanup project of Klity creek

to further remove the contaminated sediments and properly dispose of it

in a secure landfill.

Nevertheless, there should be a continuous water quality monitoring

program in the Maeklong watershed to assess the water quality situation

and the problem of lead contamination, to implement the measures to

resolve the problems and to continually coordinate with the related

agencies.

Figure 2. Soil sampling in the area



Environmental Problemsfrom Freshwater Aquaculture

Freshwater aquaculture is an important agricultural activity.The Fisheries Departmentûs policy gave importance to the promotionand quality control of aquaculture fishery products of the nation toensure food safety and to maintain adequate supply for domesticconsumption and export. This has resulted in the continuous increaseof aquaculture products and land use. Data from, the FisheriesDepartment in 2001 indicated that the aquaculture products and land use has steadily increased each year. Thenumber of farms have increased 13%, land use for aquaculture have increased 11% and aquaculture productshave increased 9% (table 1).

Most of the aquaculture farms are located in the central and eastern region such as the provinces of

Samutprakarn, Suphanburi, Samutsakorn, Chachengsao, Ratchaburi and Nakornpathom. The most reared aquaculture

animals are herbivorous fish such as Nile Tilapia, Snake-skin Gourami, farmed on a total of 556,000 rai. Next are

the carnivorous fish such as Catfish, Snake-head Murrel farmed on a total of 50,000 rai, Giant fresh water Prawn

22,000 rai and others farmed on a total of 2,000 rai. The largest amount of aquaculture products are Nile Tilapia

accounting for 30%, then followed by the Catfish, Tinfoil barb, Snake-skin Gourami, Yellowtail Catfish and Giant

fresh water Prawn.

Table 1. Number of Freshwater aquaculture farms and products, 1997-2001

Number of Land use Products

Year Farms (rai) Whole nation Average per rai Value (million Baht)

(ton) (kg/rai)

1997 169,000 423,000 201,000 470 6,000

1998 204,000 518,000 227,000 440 7,000

1999 244,000 569,000 253,000 445 8,000

2000 256,000 601,000 271,000 450 8,400

2001 269,000 630,000 280,000 445 9,300



The aquaculture animals are reared densely and fed on high protein feed or processed fish meal.

Frequently too much fertilizer is used to adjust the conditions and provide food for planktons. Fish excretion and

leftover food in the pond accelerates the fouling of the water. The farmers then must change the water in the

pond regularly depending on the water quality. Once the animals are caught, the water is drained, the

sediments removed and the pond restored to prepare for the next batch of aquaculture animals.

Most aquaculture farms are located near natural water sources. Wastewater and sediments released

from the ponds impact the water quality. The problems depends on the aquaculture management with the main

cause as follows,

1. The accumulation of leftover food in the fish farms. The fish are fed daily; the carnivorous fish are

fed high protein food such as trash fish mixed with rice bran, chicken offal, rice bran and food pellets. The

herbivorous fish receive additional food such as fertilizer or animal waste, rice bran and waste, brewery by-

products, soyabean meal and tapioca meal. Some farms raise chicken or pigs on top of the fish pond in order

to add animal waste to feed the fish.

2. Use of medicine and chemicals such as antibiotics (oxytetracycline), vitamin C, deworming, and

disinfectants such as potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, lime and fertilizer during pond preparation.

3. Water is changed to maintain water quality and catch the animals. The water is released with the

sediments. Some farms manage their wastewater by pumping into the herbivorous fish pond or a sedimentation

pond. However it is still not adequate. Wastewater from the carnivorous fish pond has a higher BOD value than

other kinds of fish. Even though the BOD value may be less than other pollution source but the large amount of

wastewater released at the same time still causes a significant impact to the natural water environment

4. From the survey by Pollution Control Department in 2003, it was discovered that the volume of

wastewater from the rearing of Snake-head Murrel , Catfish, Trash fish and Giant freshwater Prawns were 92,600

5,400 2,800 and 9,400 cubic meters per rai per batch. The average sediment volume were 220, 178, 91, 60 cubic

meters per rai per batch. The average suspended solids concentration in the pond were 10,340, 1,960 , 590 and

670 kilograms per rai per batch. The total sediment volume for the whole country were 19,800, 138,170, 189,780

and 16,780 tons annually (Table 2 and 3). The water quality was impacted and organic carbon compounds were

accumulated in the sediments in the areas with a density of aquaculture farms which directly release their

wastewater to the environment.

Table 2. Volume of wastewater and sediments from aquaculture ponds.

Number of batch Volume of wastewater Volume of sediment

Type of animal (per year) (cubic meters per rai per batch) (cubic meters per rai

During rearing During catching Total per batch)

Snakehead Murrel 1.2 87,000 5,600 92,600 220

Catfish 2.0 1,200 4,200 5,400 178

nile Tilapia

Trash fish 1.5 300 2,500 2,800 91

Giant freshwater prawn 1.0 6,700 2,700 9,400 160



At present there are no measures to manage the problem of

wastewater and sediments from aquaculture. Most farmers are not

aware of the importance of wastewater management and installing a

wastewater treatment system. They are more interested in improving

the water quality input. Therefore the measures to manage the problem

must start from the management of the whole farm including the farm

layout plan, appropriate ratio of animals in the pond, feeding methods,

wastewater treatment to reduce levels of BOD, nutrients and suspended

solids. Water recycling in the farm would reduce the cost and impacts

to the environment. In the future wastewater effluent standards may

be established for freshwater aquaculture. This would support the

development of freshwater aquaculture to cover the quality of the

aquaculture products and environmental management.

Table 3. Levels of BOD from Aquaculture.

Aquaculture pond Total volume of the country*

During rearing During catching Total volumeBOD SSType of animals (mg/L) (mg/L) (kilograms per

rai per batch)

BOD SS BOD SS BOD SS Tons/day Tons/year Tons/day Tons/year

Snakehead Murrel 15 80 21 528 1,520 10,340 8 2,910 54 19,800

Catfish 16 143 14 282 141 1,960 27 9,970 379 138,170

Nile Tilapia

Trash fish 13 35 21 197 87 590 77 28,050 520 189,780

Freshwater prawn 9 27 17 151 130 670 9 3,270 46 16,780

Total 121 44,200 999 364,530

Note : * Calculated from land use for freshwater aquaculture in 2000

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