Ms. Preeyaporn Suwanaged, Director General of Pollution Control Department (PCD) revealed that this year the Meteorological Department’s forecasts that Thailand’s rainy season is expected to start around the fourth week of May 2024. In the rainy season period, various contaminants accumulated in land such as residual wastewater in sewage pipes, leachate from agricultural areas, dumpsites, materials, chemicals, and hazardous substances will be leached into water sources in large quantities. This may cause sudden changes in water quality such as reducing of oxygen levels, increasing of turbidity and suspended sediments. Changing rapidly in water temperature effects to aquatic animals and ecosystems. Consequently, yearly monitoring results of surface water quality over the country during April to June, the beginning of rainy season, it is found that water sources are increasingly reached at the criteria of deteriorating.

Ms. Preeyaporn said that a common problem during heavy and continuous rainfall is illegally discharge wastewater from pollution sources along with floodwaters or during storms. Both strong winds and heavy rainfall can cause factory wastewater storage ponds to collapse, leading to contaminated wastewater affecting nearby areas or public water sources. Therefore, relevant agencies in the areas and local administrative organizations should monitor pollution sources in their areas, both in the upcoming early rainy season in the next 2-3 weeks and throughout the rainy season.

Moreover, fish farmers using cages or aquaculture systems should prepare for the early rains by running aerators to increase oxygen levels. They should reduce or stop feeding at rainy days to minimize wastes in water sources or ponds. Business and factory owners should store chemicals and hazardous substances materials that used in agriculture, industry, and households in safe and flood-free locations. They must also maintain wastewater storage/treatment ponds and waste disposal sites to prevent leaks into water sources or the environment. If there are any problems with wastewater or chemical leaks, the public can report emergencies to PCD at hotline 1650,
Ms. Preeyaporn said.