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Patong water-quality test results in – some of them
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) yesterday released the test results for only two out of four water-quality test points along Phuket's famous beach, Patong.

Test results were released for two sites in the tourist-dense midsection of the beach, away from the mouths of the two canals that discharge water into the bay.

The testing of Patong Bay water came in the wake of an algae bloom last month and allegations of raw sewage potentially causing a health hazard to beachgoers (story here).

“The tests show that the water on August 23 [four days after the bloom was first reported] would not harm a person swimming in it and would not be dangerous to marine animals,” said Daroonwan Schwartz, a PMBC oceanographer.

“However, wastewater released untreated into Patong Bay will have long-term affects on marine resources and water quality if no measures are put in place to control this,” Ms Daroonwan said.

PMBC yesterday released the full results for test point B2 and B3 conducted on August 23, with particular emphasis on levels of bacteria, nutrients and oxygen.

Bacteria levels should not exceed 1,000 MPN (most probable number) per 100 milliliters, according to the PMBC report. At the first station tested, the level was 980 MPN; and at the second, it was 900 MPN.

“The results show that the bacteria level is very high, but does not exceed the safety standards,” said the Director of the PMBC Ukkit Satapoomin.

Nutrients (ammonia, phosphorous and nitrate), often signs of raw sewage being released, should not be more than .36 moles per liter, which was a hurdle easily cleared by the water taken from locations away from water discharge. The test results showed nutrient levels at only .0025 moles per liter.

If dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are less than 4 milligrams per liter, the water is in bad condition, explained Ms Daroonwan. In Patong Bay on August 23, the DO was 6.98 milligrams per liter.

Other measurements taken that day, for salinity, pH, temperature and clarity, all fell within acceptable levels, Ms Daroonwan said, noting that the results are relevant only for the day in question.

“We tested sites B1 and B4 later in the month, and the results have yet to be analyzed,” said Ms Daroonwan.

Ms Daroonwan also commented on the frequency of water tests in Patong, which are scheduled to be done every two months.

“In other countries, they are done every day,” she said. “But we don’t have enough staff to do that. We only have 10 people responsible for conducting tests in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.”

Ms Daroonwan said the PMBC had contacted Patong Municipality to set measures for managing wastewater treatment in the community.

Untreated wastewater enters Patong Bay not only via the Pak Bang canal but also via the Bang Yai canal, which feeds into Pak Bang.

The Bang Yai Canal came into the spotlight earlier this year when residents who lived along it complained that its stench was making them physically ill (story here).

Hotels, restaurants and homes release their wastewater untreated and it eventually flows into Patong bay, Ms Daroonwan said.

This water test and future ones will be sent to relevant government organizations, including the Phuket Governor, Phuket Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment and Patong municipality she said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Patong-water-quality-test-results-in-some-of-them-22328.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-09-25

[KarenBravo]

.......and the results from the other two samples will never be released.

[maanoi]

Dont need anyone to tell me theres shit in the water when i can see it

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[steelepulse]

Nice how the two non reported samples weren't taken on the same day. I wonder why,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[SOTIRIOS]

.......those figures sound 'too close for comfort'.........or worse......(....know what I mean...???)

[dcutman]

PHUKET: -- Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) yesterday released the test results for only two out of four water-quality test points along Phuket's famous beach, Patong.

Untreated wastewater enters Patong Bay not only via the Pak Bang canal but also via the Bang Yai canal, which feeds into Pak Bang.
Hotels, restaurants and homes release their wastewater untreated and it eventually flows into Patong bay, Ms Daroonwan said.

What the Hell!

They way this is written, this is just normal operations thats been going on forever. Is this the case?

Excuse the ignorance, but I really find this article disturbing.

[dmrichkt]

So, 980 MPN is safe but 1,000 is unsafe and the margin for error is...

[Halion]

Such water testing analytical procedures can be completed in two to three days with the majority of the tests taking less that a few hours to complete. The results as published are highly erroroneous and greatly misleading. Patong beach is polluted and the outfalls are most certainly contributing to the degredation of aquatic life.

Chemical and biological assay should be conducted at leat every week and the story regarding the lack of staff is either due to incompotence of lack of intrest. I have 30 years of experience regarding the chemical and microbiological assay of water samples and even very small facilities could handle over 50 samples per day for chemical assay. Certain microbiological test can take a little longer.

[lee b]

So, 980 MPN is safe but 1,000 is unsafe and the margin for error is...

Got me on that one ! hahaha

[Familyonthemove]

Such water testing analytical procedures can be completed in two to three days with the majority of the tests taking less that a few hours to complete. The results as published are highly erroroneous and greatly misleading. Patong beach is polluted and the outfalls are most certainly contributing to the degredation of aquatic life.

Chemical and biological assay should be conducted at leat every week and the story regarding the lack of staff is either due to incompotence of lack of intrest. I have 30 years of experience regarding the chemical and microbiological assay of water samples and even very small facilities could handle over 50 samples per day for chemical assay. Certain microbiological test can take a little longer.

Yes ..... When I worked in the UK part of my job was testing the bathing water on Southport beach in sunny Lancashire (as it was then). We would take the trusty council diesel Landrover down to meet the tide every week and wade out with this huge glass bottle. We got the results in a few days and had to report them to the local Councilors.

One day the Landy got stuck and covered by the tide to roof level. We abandoned ship and waited for low tide. After scooping out the sand we turned the key and it started! Blew out clouds of steam for a few miles and kept going for many years after that with no problem.

And the water results complied with EU standards - which was a surprise as we knew there were some untreated outfalls along the beach - but I guess colder water and bigger waves may help as compared to Phuket.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Familyonthemove

[timewilltell]

How to hide a croc of <deleted>?

[Guest]

I just wonder what the results would be if an independent organization would take samples and send those to be tested somewhere out of Phuket.