However, one issue that still remains unresolved is rental of temple land required for the project, and a budget for the project, which has already been approved, cannot be allocated until resolved.
Department of Local Administration Director-General Jarin Jakkapak confirmed approval of the wasterwater-treatment centre at a meeting in Patong on Saturday (Mar 4).
At the meeting were officials from Patong Municipality, Phuket Regional Environment Office 15, Phuket Office of Natural Resources and Environment, Prince of Songkla University, and Phuket Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Centre.
“Over the years the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the island’s wastewater has changed and this is what has caused the change in colour of the water when the wastewater is released into the sea,” Mr Jarin said.
“As a short-term fix for the problem, Patong Municipality have been awarded a budget to expand the existing municipality sewerage system. In addition, Patong Municipality will be required to check properties outside of the current system to see if they have their own wastewater-treatment systems.
“If these properties do not have their own wastewater systems they should be fully equipped to be linked to the new system before its completion,” he said.
“In the long-term, in addition to the new wastewater treatment centre in Patong, Kalim, which does not currently have a wastewater treatment system, will join with Patong’s new system at Phra Baramee Rd.
“This project has already gone through a feasibility study and has the design details but is it now awaiting approval for environment quality management. If approved this will be included in the provincial budget for 2019,” he added.
“Once complete this new system will be adequate to cover wastewater treatment for the Patong community.
“The only problem we have to deal with now is the issue of renting temple land. The budget for the wastewater project has already been approved by the central government, however, this cannot be allocated until this land issue has been resolved,” he said.
“In addition, Patong Municipality does not know how many laundries are currently connected to the existing wastewater treatment system.
“Therefore, they will need to conduct a survey of all laundries in the area and to ensure they are all connected to the system in the future,” he concluded.