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Independent Review of Samut Prakarn Wastewater Management Project Commissioned By ADB and the Government of Thailand

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (19 March 2001) - The independent review to assess the Samut Prakarn Wastewater Management Project (SPWMP) proposed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Thailand last November, has commenced today. The review panel comprises three independent experts of international repute in the fields of environment, aquatic ecology/mussel aquaculture, and public health. Each of them has been selected from a long list of international experts based on their knowledge and experience in their respective field of expertise. The review is expected to take up to 10 weeks.

The independent review will focus on the environmental, ecological and public health aspects of the project, and address the main concerns expressed by civil society on its likely impact on the local community. The terms of reference (TOR) for the review were finalized following a two-month public consultation during which the draft TOR were published in English and Thai and the public was invited to comment and suggest names of potential review members. Many comments from various sources, including the local community in Thailand, were received and these were taken into account before the TOR were finalized on 12 March 2001 by ADB and the Government of Thailand's Pollution Control Department (PCD), the project's implementing agency.

The review panel welcomes comments and suggestions from members of the public on any aspect of the project and will be happy to discuss with interested parties until 10 April 2001. The review panel can be contacted at PCD in Bangkok, Thailand (phone: 662 619 2284 or fax: 662 619 2282, or email spwpcu@hotmail.com). Written comments can be sent to: Independent Review Panel for SPWMP, c/o Pollution Control Department, Phaholyothin Center Bldg., 9th Fl. 404 Phaholyothin Rd., Phayathai, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. Please clearly indicate the sender's name and address and contact number (telephone or fax or email).

The Samut Prakarn Wastewater Management Project, costing about US$750 million and partly financed by ADB (US$230 million), aims to improve the environment in one of Thailand's most polluted provinces. It is designed to manage industrial, commercial, and residential wastewater that currently flows to the sea through open canals and rivers in a heavily populated area. Presently, the wastewater poses health hazards for up to a million people and pollutes large stretches of coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand. The project has adopted an integrated approach that tackles wastewater pollution both at source and final treatment point, representing a significant attempt to proactively minimize wastewater pollution.

The terms of reference for the independent review are here. Thai version will soon be available at the PCD website at http://www.samutpkwater.com.

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