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Local authorities and garbage removal companies said the clean-up after the 2010 Water Festival would be easier than in past years because of increasing environmental awareness and more disposal options.

“Our people are starting to understand environmental issues and they’ve helped in cleaning the waste from their city,” said Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema.

Seng Chamroeun, the vice-chairman of Cintri, the company responsible for the city’s waste disposal, said that festival goers helped by “putting bottles, plastics and empty cans into the garbage after use”.

Cintri has deployed nearly 600 workers and 35 vehicles to clean the city and placed 1,100 garbage cans in heavily trafficked areas.

Seng Chamroeun said that 280 tonnes of garbage were collected in the festival’s first two days and he expected another 150 tonnes on Monday.

The Phnom Penh Municipality also placed more than 200 portable washrooms at sites throughout the city.

The conclusion of the festival also marked the disposal of 16 dragon boats, which sunk in the Tonle Sap river after capsizing or crashing into other boats, according to the National Committee for Organising National and International Festivals.

Chea Kean, deputy general director of NCONIF, said that three people had suffered injuries from the boat crashes, but he did not know the extent of the injuries.

Phnom Penh deputy police chief Pen Rath said that seven people sustained minor injuries from motorcycle crashes within festival sites and that 10 people had been arrested on theft charges during the festival....read the full story in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated story online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours.