Phuket laundry raided over wastewater poisoning canal and wells

PHUKET: A commercial laundry in Chalong has been ordered to restrict its operations pending an inquiry into untreated wastewater poisoning of private wells and killing fish in a nearby canal.

Officials led by Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol Friday morning raided the laundry, located along a dirt track off Soi Klumyang, about 300 meters south of Wat Chalong.

“Just the stench alone can be unbearable,” Mayor Samran said.

“Also, it seems the wastewater has permeated the water table and contaminated the underground water sources that local residents use to cook with and bathe in.”

Mayor Samran ordered that the laundry restrict its operations to ensure that all wastewater dispensed by the facility was comprehensively treated at its on site water-treatment plant.

“We have called the laundry’s management to meet with officials at Chalong Municipality. The laundry has its own water-treatment plant, but it may not have the capacity to treat all the wastewater being discharged by the facility,” he said.

A date for the meeting has yet to be set.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong