Mr. Athapol Charoenshunsa, Director General of Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) revealed that PCD monitored water quality in major water sources all over the country two times during January to June 2021. 375 sampling points in 59 major rivers and 6 still water resources were monitored in February and May 2021. They were assessed by Water Quality Index (WQI) and it was found that water quality of water sources was in good quality (27 water sources), fair quality (26 water sources) and poor quality (11 water sources) with percentage of 42, 41, and 17 respectively. However, Yom River wasn’t included in the sampling because of dry and discontinue of water flow during the survey.
Mr. Athapol said that the monitoring result showed that 1) Water sources with good water quality were Ing-Kok-Li River, Upper Petchaburi, Kui Buri, Pranburi, Khwae Noi, Mae Klong, Khwae Yai, Nong Han, Loei, Songkram, Oon, Lam Chee, Upper Lamtakong, Lower Phangrad, Prasae, Upper Tapi, Trang, Upper Pattani, Upper Lang Suan, Sai Buri, Thale Luang, Pak Phanang, Phum Duang, Chumphon and Lower Tapi river, 2) Water sources with fair water quality were Nan, Wang, Kwan Payao, Ping, Mae Chang, Lower Phetchaburi, Upper Chao Phraya, Central Chao Phraya, Pa Sak, Upper Tha Chin, Mun, Chi, Siew, Phong, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Upper Rayong, Weru, Trad, Bang Pakong, Prachinburi, Thale Noi, Lower Pattani, Songkhla Lake and Lower Lang Suan, and 3) Water sources with poor water quality were Bueng Braphet, Kuang, Central Tha Chin, Sakae Krang, Lopburi, Lower Tha Chin, Lower Chao Phraya, Lam Pao, Lower Lamtakong, Upper Phangrad and Lower Rayong. Comparing to the year 2020 (during January to June), it was found that water quality of Upper Tapi River and Khwae Noi River were declined into good quality from excellent quality.
Overall of water quality of water sources in northeastern and southern regions was declined from the year 2020 (during January to June) while water quality in central and eastern regions was being not much better. Additionally, water quality in northern region was similar to last year. The number of water sources with the poorest water quality was still in the central region. In this regards, the water source with poorest water quality was the Lower Lam Takhong River in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, Nakhon Ratchasima Province due to wastewater discharge from communities, agricultural activities, and industries located in the area, Mr. Athapol said.
