The Kampong Cham Provincial Administration will file a request with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for 50a of land for a future dumpsite in Khna village in Sdoeung Chey commune of Cheung Prey district.
Provincial environmental department director Nuon Kong Sol said the present dumpsite belonged to local firm Cintri (Cambodia) Co Ltd. This dumpsite in Chamkar Leu district’s Bos Khnor commune covered 10ha.
The administration is looking for a new location because Kampong Cham town is located near an Asia Development Bank (ADB) project which plans to develop an environmentally-friendly dumpsite.
“We have an ADB project which contributes to the Corridor Towns Development Project of four provinces in the Mekong River area which includes a dumpsite in Kampong Cham town.
"ADB’s plan was to assist with a standard dumpsite, but our dumpsite is not conducive to the project, so the province plans to select land that can be a suitable location in the future,” he said.
Cheung Prey district governor Outh Cheangly said the land was far from residents but is suitable for waste disposal. If the dumpsite’s located is bad, it can cause waste water that affects rice fields.
“If waste is not disposed of properly, it could impact residents in Sdoeung Chey commune’s in. They plant rice near the land the provincial administration wants for the dumpsite. But I do not remember how many families live in the two villages,” he said.
Hem Udom, an environmental expert, said a dumpsite’s location, whether in the countryside or downtown, is important and the land has to be prepared according to proper standards. If the dumpsite is not covered or packed properly, it will have an impact when it rains as mixed waste will severely affect land quality and groundwater.
“Sometimes, people pile up waste and burn it. So when it is burned, it produces smoke and smell. Waste can also seep into the ground and pollute water sources. So if there are wells, rivers or lakes near the dumpsite, the water will be difficult to use,” he said.
However, Kong Sol said the dumpsite was far from downtown and if it is properly prepared, it will not affect people.
