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This study aims to find out environmental impacts of constructing Mab Wai Som and Huay Khai Nao reservoirs in Chon Buri Province. Since Chon Buri Province, particularly Pattaya District and Leam Chabang Industrial Estate, is considered a tourist and industrial area, there has been a rapid and continuous expansion in all areas. This has brought about the increase of people’s basic needs, especially public utilities such as electricity, water, and so on. Focusing on the tap water and unboiled water to be used in industries and agriculture, the important reservoirs built in Pattaya District and nearby to serve those purposes are Mab Prachan, Chak Nork, Nong Kalng Dong, Huay Khun Chit, and Huay Saphan. There are also three pump houses: Nong Klang Dong, Mab Prachan, and Chak Nork, to produce the tap water in this area. With many reservoirs and pump houses, however, it is still inadequate to meet the people’s need for water. The Office of Regional Irrigation 9 has, therefore, realized that there needs to be additional water resources to respond to the need for water of the people to be used for consumption, tourism, industries, and agriculture, In building Mab Wai Som and Huay Khai Nao reservoirs in Chon Buri Province, it is essential to study if there are any impacts on the environment in order to improve the reservoirs and provide practices to reduce the problems that might affect the environment during and after the construction.
The findings of the study are the ways to prevent the impacts on climate, groundwater hydrology, aquatic and fisheries ecosystems, economics and society; and land and asset compensations from the construction of Mab Wai Som and Huay Khai Nao reservoirs.
The study reveals major ways in which effects on the climate and hydrological conditions of water and soil surface can be prevented; that is, during the construction period there must be strict controls over dust and smoke from machinery, speeding automobiles and traffic surface works. In laying the aqueducts, concrete pipes must be used in order to prevent leaks, breakages and other damages due to water pressure. Where the aqueduct intersects with another watercourse, or with another watercourse, or with a road, the aqueduct must be laid underground.
Other recommendations include (i) growing soil-covering vegetation to prevent erosion, (ii) building ridges and cesspools, (iii) creating a proper sanitary system, (iv) controlling factories, release of industrial waste into the reservoir, (v) releasing wastewater from the reservoir and (vi) building a central wastewater treatment system.
Concerning hydro-ecology and piscatorial ecology, it is recommended that a sediment-trapping moat be constructed round the area where soil has been up-turned or excavated. In addition, any form of fishery in the watershed area above the dam is prohibited, whilst other forms of fishery must be monitored to ensure appropriate practice, and aquatic weeds curbed.
Regarding agriculture and irrigation, it is recommended that (i) the use of water be controlled to only meet the needs of plants, (ii) a water-allocation committee be appointed to alleviate water consumption disputer, (iii) the use of fertilizers and pesticidal chemicals be monitored, (iv) the washing of filthy and toxics into waterways be strictly controlled, (v) the drainage from communities and industrial areas be controlled, (vi) water drainage systems be improved through dredging and repairing drainage facilities in waterways, and (vii) levees be constructed along the river to support the existing soil embankments in the project area.
Economically and socially, it is suggested that (i) the public be informed of the steps and time span required for the construction of the reservoir, (ii) agriculturalists be advised to grow quick-yielding crops , (iii) agricultural promotion officers be coordinated to provide counsel and assistance, (iv) the time and route of evacuation be fixed, and (v) evacuation transportation be prepared.
Concerning education, the existing education institution should be asked to step in to alleviate any dispute that may arise when the evacuees assemble; mean while, other related organizations should be contacted to facilitate and organize the newly assembled community by advising he people about right, role and regulations.
With regard to land and property, 111 plots of land amounting to 1,176.22 rais are affected by the construction of Mab Wai Som reservoir, and 56 plots of land amounting to 377.8 rais are affected by the construction of Huay Khai Nao reservoir. Explanations must be made to inform the affected people of the details of compensation, in order to reduce conflicts. Moreover, committee should be appointed which comprises the Division of Law and Land of the Department of Irrigation, Provincial Land Office, District Chief, and relevant local representatives in order to determine proper compensations for the affected people’s land and property. |
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