Water Pollution Management in Cambodia

Water Pollution Management in Cambodia

       Cambodia is a small country in the Indo-China peninsula. Vietnam, Thailand and Laos are on the three sides of the country and the fourth side is occupied by the South China Sea. Cambodia can be called as an under-developed country, and about 50% of the total land of the country is covered in forests. So it is not a highly industrialized country even it is not urbanized too (Piola 329-342).

Though Cambodia is a small country it has got many rivers and all the major rivers in the country either drain into the Tonle Sap or the Mekong River. The zone is divided into three different parts by the Cardamom Mountains and the Elephant Range. (Benndorf 466-478). Here are some points of Water Pollution.

1.    The definition of Water Pollution

Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells). It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily include Cambodia, too. In addition to the acute problems of water pollution in developing countries, developed countries continue to struggle with pollution problems as well.

Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a human use, such as drinking water, and/or undergoes marked shift in its ability to support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish.

2.    Water pollution in Cambodia

a.    The causes and effects of water pollution

Cambodia is a small country in the Indo-China peninsula. Cambodia can be called as an under-developed countries, the country also faces the environmental problems as with the rest of the World. The basic problem of the countries lies in the water pollution. Emissions of organic water pollutants are being shared by factory refer to emissions from manufacturing activities (chemical industry, clay and glass industry, food industry, metal industry and other). Water pollution has been documented as a contributor to a wide range of health problems and disorders in humans. It has also been shown to have drastically negative impacts on wild animals and the environment as a whole. There are quite a few different effects of water pollution that are of significant importance to humans.

The country also faces the environmental problems as with the rest of the World, most importantly the under developed and developing countries. The basic problem of the countries lies in the lack of resources in these areas, and along it brings out several other problems which directly and indirectly effects the state of environment in the countries. Along with these problems Cambodia faces a huge number of natural disasters every year, which also contribute to the natural calamities of the place (Lee 1238-1246).

Human Health Effects

Water pollution can pose health dangers to humans who come into contact with it, either directly or indirectly.

Contaminated Drinking Water

The risks of your health are being negatively impacted by polluted drinking water in a developed country is small in comparison with developing countries. However, it is possible to become ill from contaminated water. This infection is caused by drinking water that has been fouled by animal wastes in untreated waterways. In anthropogenic environments likes cities and towns, the potential toxins are far more numerous.

Mercury Level Risks

Health risks from pollution vary from area to area. One of the most pervasive non-localized water pollution issues facing the world today is the level of mercury in the oceans. Inorganic mercury is a common byproduct of a number of industrial processes. The level of mercury in fish is mostly dangerous for small children and women who might become pregnant, are pregnant or are nursing. Mercury has been found to interfere with the development of the central nervous system in fetuses and young children, which could potentially lead to a large amount of long-term side effects.

Health Effects of Toxic Runoff

Water quality can be so bad in many waterways that fish advisories are often posted to warn people against eating fish out of contaminated waterways. This is largely due to industrial runoff from localized sources and the accumulative effects of runoff and dumping from states that lie along the Mekong River. When the river empties into Tonle Sap and China sea, it brings those accumulated toxins with it. This is believed to lead to higher rates of cancer in areas surrounding the Mekong River and Tonle Sap delta in an area that is colloquially referred to as "cancer alley."

Overall Ecological Risks

Water pollution also causes negative effects within the environment to animals and their habitats.

Ecological Dead-zone

The entrance of pollutants into waterways can have a wide range of impacts. It is possible for the pollutants to raise the temperature of the water enough to force fish out in search of cooler waters. This can itself create an ecological dead-zone.

Increase in Algal Blooms

Water pollution can also significantly increase the rate of algal blooms. These blooms create massive fish die-offs as the oxygen in the water gets depleted and the fish suffocate. Fish can also be killed when excessive algae get caught in their gills.

Water Pollution Impacts Everyone

The effects of water pollution are not always immediate. They are not always seen at the point of contamination. They are sometimes never known by the person responsible for the pollution. However, water pollution has a huge impact on the lives of all people. With knowledge, consideration and preparation, water pollution can be decreased. It doesn’t take much effort -- just a little thought.

To sum up, a long lasting effect on the aquatic plants and animals of Cambodia has been created because of the water pollution. The deaths due to the different water born diseases are readily increasing. Different types of poisonous sewage wastes, plastic packets in the water bodies have killed many aquatic animals and plants. Deaths caused from water born diseases are increased in an alarming number. Other than the floods there are many other causes of water pollution in Cambodia. The causes are waters running from industries and factories, septic tanks, wastes from hospitals, oil secretion from the water vehicles and wastes thrown from the construction sites are some of them. Phnom Penh is an industrial area and the waters are highly polluted from thrown from the industries.

b.    The law of water pollution management in Cambodia

The law has been adopted by the council ministers since mid-2001. It was passed to the National Assembly for approval. With reference to Article 4, the Ministry of Environment has enough mandates to implement this Law with technical cooperation with institutions concerned.

            The law has six chapters with 41 Articles. Some articles mention the relevant duties of the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology and some duties of the Ministry of Environment with regard to water pollution management and wastewater discharge licensing. The Law of Water Resource Management covers major areas of water resources management (both surface and groundwater), water user community for farmers, and flood control. There are related cases of the Ministry.

3.    Water Pollution Prevention

Water Pollution Prevention with several resource depleting at an alarming rate due to pollution, there are a need to take matters in our own hands. This article will deal with one such important issue-water pollution prevention. How can one go about spelling the important of water in our lives? When we look around and see how water pollution threatens to destroy the Earth, what is our reaction to it? Indifference, perhaps? It is due to this indifference that the world as we know it will soon end. Through a long-drawn, really slow process on torment and torture. It`s not just water pollution that spells danger for us, but since water is one of the most crucial resource, without which the very survival of all life on earth will cease to exist, it become our duty to undertake immediate actions to stop and prevent this destruction. Yet, there are some who would still turn a deaf ear to the pleas of taking immediate action in order to stop the destruction and pollution of this natural resource. Then again, there are also those who have understood that this is not the way to go about saving the earth, and are doing everything to save what can be saved. They are the ones who are working vehemently towards water pollution prevention. How are they doing that and what needs to be done, really? The following article will give you details of the same, as well as give you an idea of how to prevent water pollution.

Methods to Prevent Water Pollution

It is important to understand the cause of water pollution, only then can prevention of water pollution be carried out effectively. Preventing water pollution is indeed possible and these are some of the methods that will work best.

4.    Conclusion

The government of Cambodia has to take plans to protect the environment of the country. These plans should be materialized and all the different parts of the government along with the general population have to take part in the process. All the non-governmental organizations also can play a very important role in the process. The protection of the environment will only increase the living standards of the common people of the country and finally the socio-economical condition of the country will be developed.