Cambodia: Mango factory found to have violated Environmental Code after releasing untreated liquid waste into river causing water pollution and public health concerns
"Mango factory ‘discharging liquid waste directly into public water sources’", 28 April 2025
A snap inspection has found that a mango factory is flouting pollution laws and discharging liquid waste directly into public water sources.
On April 25, 2025, a team from the Ministry of Environment led by Mr. Ke Vong Vathana, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Environmental Protection, with the participation of the Deputy Governor of Ang Snuol District, the Kraing Makak Commune Council, the Head of Prey Kla Village, and the Kandal Provincial Department of Environment, discovered that the mango processing plant of Ji Li Long (Cambodia) Fruit Industry Co., Ltd. did not have a treatment tank for cleaning liquid waste.
The company then discharged liquid waste into a storage tank and pumped it into the Prek Thnaot River through an underground pipe located in Prey Kla Village, Kraing Makak Commune, Ang Snuol District, Kandal Province.
In addition, the team found that the company did not have an environmental impact assessment report and a permit to discharge waste…
The team took legal action in accordance with Circular No. 03 SR dated March 12, 2025 on measures to prevent and reduce pollution of public water areas of the Royal Government, which set out 7 necessary measures, …
… In addition, in accordance with the Environment and Natural Resources Code, Sub-Decree No. 27 of the Royal Decree on Water Pollution Control, the working group has submitted the following issues to the company for legal enforcement:
– The factory must stop discharging liquid waste directly into public water sources …
– Complete the removal of the buried pipes …
– Must build a liquid waste treatment tank in collaboration with an environmental engineering service company licensed by the Ministry of Environment…
– Prepare environmental impact assessment reports and other environmental related documents in accordance with the Environmental and Natural Resources Code, Article 650…