Putrid Kamala canal gets some fresh air
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat conducted an inspection of Klong Pak Bang in Kamla last weekend to observe an aerator installed in the hope of alleviating the foul stench emanating from the canal.
Joining Governor Sophon for the inspection were Phuket MP Chalermphong Saengdee and Dr Somkid Chokong, Advisor to the Governor of Phuket Province.
Also present were a host of local officials, including Santhat Khummit, Deputy Chief of the Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor).
Mr Santhat explained that the aerator was provided by the Energy Research Center of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi.
The unit is powered by solar panels with an inverter motor. With a production capacity of three kilowatts, the aerator can add an average of 450 litres of oxygen per minute to the canal, which is hoped to effectively improve water quality, he said.
Governor Sophon ordered the Kamala OrborTor to allocate a budget to install two similar machines within one year to increase the efficiency of wastewater treatment in the canal, which still remains black due to the volume of wastewater continually dumped into it.
Governor Sophon also asked for cooperation from local business operators and residents to help maintain the cleanliness of rivers and canals.
He emphasised the importance of integrating wastewater treatment systems into construction projects, including hotels and residential developments, to ensure sustainable environmental conservation, said an officials report of the inspection.
The report made no mention of any recent action to inspect local venues for illegally dumping untreated wastewater into the canal.
The canal, often black and producing foul odours from the volume of wastewater in it, flows to Kamala Beach, where it crosses the sand and empties into the beach water where tourists play.
Kamala Beach, as it does each year, suffered yet another episode of black water scaring tourists over health concerns as recently as February.