Annual Report On WQMN in 2008

Table Content
Page
Summary.........................................................................................................................................2
I. Introduction..............................................................................................................................4
1) Background ................................................................................................................................................4
2) Water Resources .......................................................................................................................................4
3) Climate ........................................................................................................................................................6
II Water quality issue...................................................................................................................7

1) Population and Wastewater ...................................................................................................................7
2) Industrial waste .........................................................................................................................................7
3) Agricultural Waste ...................................................................................................................................7
III Water Quality Monitoring Network in Cambodia ...................................................................9
IV Methodology ..........................................................................................................................10
1) Sampling ...................................................................................................................................................10
2) Parameters and Analytical Method ...................................................................................................14
3) Data assessment methodology ............................................................................................................15
V Result and discussion.............................................................................................................18

1) The trend of individual parameters ...................................................................................................18
2) The Water Quality Data Assessment by using Water Quality Index (WQIs) ......................24
The water quality indices for aquatic life (WQIal)......................................................24
The water quality indices for Human impacted (WQIhi .............................................24
The water quality index for Agriculture uses (WQIag) .........................................................24
VI Conclusion and Recommendation .........................................................................................30

4.1 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................................30
Water Quality Trends...................................................................................................30
Water Quality Index.....................................................................................................31
4.2 Recommendation ...................................................................................................................................32
Annex: ..........................................................................................................................................34
Annex 1: National Surface Water Quality Standard .........................................................................34
Annex 2: Standard for interpretation of Water Quality for Irrigation...................................36
Annex 3: Laboratory determination needs to evaluate common Irrigation Water Quality
Problems................................................................................................................37
Annex 4: Statistic Record .....................................................................................................38
-----------------------
Page 1 of 39
Summary
Water Quality Monitoring Network is one activity under Environment Programe of Mekong
River Commission Secretarial that has involving from Thailand, Lao, and Viet Nam since 1985
(1993 in Cambodia). In that time, ambient of Water Quality Monitoring Networks including nine
sampling stations along Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac River has been undertake by Ministry of
Water Resources and Meteorology in collaboration with Cambodia National Mekong River
Committee. From 2005, sampling station had been increase to eleven and adding up to twenty-
one stations in 2004 by covering with some important tributaries such as Se San, Srepork, and
Sekong River. This activity conducted regularly once a month, the department of Hydrology and
River Works has responsibility for sampling, analysis and prepare of data assessment report.
This report document an assessment within data record from 2005- 2008. Three main categories
of water quality category indices (WQIs) are used to prepared of data assessment sine 2005 with
seven indicators: pH, EC, NH3-N, NO3-N, Total-P, DO and COD are selecting to used for mark a
calculation base on water quality guidelines and indices (Ongley, 2006).
- Water Quality Index for protect aquatic life (WQIal)

- Water Quality Index for human health on water quality (WQIhi)
- Water Quality Index for agriculture use (WQIag): are have been divide into three
part: (i), General irrigation, (ii), Irrigation of Paddy Rice and (iii), Livestock and
Poultry
Each category is subdivide into classes according to the numbers of chemical parameters that has
been selected and meet with guideline threshold. The classes are WQIal (Not impact, slightly
impact, Impacted and Very Impact), WQIhi (Not Impact, Slightly impact, Impacted and Very
impacted) and WQIag (Not impact, Slightly to moderately impacted and Severe Impacted).
Following by result and discussion, the present of water quality data can be summary as below:
Individual Trend of main indicators:
Mekong River and some tributaries are stays in fresh water condition, almost of conductivity is
less than 100 ms/m and pH value are still in the range.
Total Suspended Solid is appear with concentration in Mekong up stream and slightly declined
with downstream distance. In Tonle Sap and Tonle Sap Lake, during dry season found in high
concentration of TSS than wet season it causes of shallow water and turbulence. Median value of
nutrients compound in Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap mostly lower than the threshold value that
has been use in water quality indices to protect aquatic life (WQIs) but is seem to be high during
dry season (maximum value).
The median value of dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen are generally found in acceptable
and accordance with the WHO's water quality level for fish habitat. Howsoever, we found some
data are not stay in limitation of thresholds value, which appeared during the dry season of some
river especially in Bassac River, Tonle Sap River and Tonle Sap Lake. The values it will be
cause of serious for aquatic life and fish.
Water Quality Index Assessment:
WQIag: Almost stations in both mainstream and tributaries are standing in good quality for
agriculture used in term of general irrigation, paddy rice and livestock
-----------------------
Page 2 of 39
WQIal: All station at mainstream and tributaries (local and trains boundary interest) are meet not
impact and slightly impact except Backprea in Sangkeo River is stand for impacted. However,
the WQIal for recently year fund as none significant difference in compare with previous years.
WQIhi: It is can be divide into three classifications for hold network in Cambodia:
1) From Stung Treng down to Chroy Changvar (upper part of Phnom Penh) including
three Trans boundaries stations are stand at slightly impacted.
2) Neak Loung down to Kaorm Samnor (Mekong downstream) is standing at impacted
3) Remaining for Bassac River are stand for very impacted
-----------------------
Page 3 of 39
I. Introduction
1) Background
The Kingdom of Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia between latitudes 10 º and 15 º north,
longitudes 102 º and 108 º east with the total area of 181,035 square kilometers within that, about
176,520 sq km is cover by land, and the rest is water.. There are approximately 86% of the total
land area is lied within the Mekong catchments (Mekong River Commission, 1998).
Population of 14,241,640 and population rate 1.752% (CIA, 2008 est.), 8% of who live in the
capital Phnom Penh, 10% in other urban areas, and the remaining 82% in rural areas. Cambodia
is dividing administratively into 20 provinces and 4 municipalities.
The geographically, surrounding by mountains in the north and west along the border with
Thailand and Lao PDR, and in the east with Viet Nam. In the south, Cambodia borders the Gulf
of Thailand. The middle of the country is flat and mainly use for rice production. The largest part
of the country, about 75% of the total area, consists of the Tonle Sap or Great Lake Basin, the
Mekong Lowlands and Delta that divides the country from north to south while the remainder is
dominate by the mountains to the southwest, north and northeast of the country.
The country lies completely within the tropics and like the rest of Southeast Asia, the climate is
monsoonal with distinct wet and dry seasons of relatively equal length. The southwest monsoon
brings the rainy season from mid-May to mid-September, and the northeast monsoon flow of
drier, cooler air lasts from early November to March. The total annual rainfall average is
between 1000 and 1500 mm, but the amount varies considerably from year to year. It is heaviest
in the mountains along the coast in the southwest, which receive from 2500 to more than 5000
mm.
The Tonle Sap Lake provides a huge source of fresh water. During the late wet season, the
Mekong River backs up northwards into the lake increasing the volume of the lake tenfold at the
height of the flooding.
2) Water Resources
The Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia. From its source on the Tibetan plateau, it runs
for 4,800 km through China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam to the
South China Sea, where it discharges on average 475,000 million m3 per year (15,062 m3 per
second). The total Mekong Basin (MB) catchments area covers 795,000 km2 and has 73 million
inhabitants. The contribution of each country to the average river flow is as follows: China 16%,
Myanmar 2%, Lao PDR 35%, Thailand 17%, Cambodia 19%, and Viet Nam 11% (MRC, 1998).
The Mekong crosses the Lao border over the Khone Falls in Stung Treng and Kratie before it
becomes gradually wider and meets Tonle Sap at Chaktomounk it flows for 486 km in Cambodia
and drains around 156,000 km2 or 86% of the country, representing 19% of the total catchments
area of Mekong Basin as a whole (MRC, 2003a). The average annual discharge of the Mekong
River entering Cambodia is estimated to be close to the discharge at Paksé (324.45 m3/year) in
Lao PDR, about 120 km upstream from the border with Cambodia. Other inflows to the
Mekong-Tonle Sap system from outside the country amount to 29.9 m3 from Vietnam and 1.2
m3 from Thailand. The average annual flow in the Mekong at Kratie is approximately 440
billion m3, which the maximum and minimum discharges at Kratie are estimated at 66,700 m3/s
and 1,250 m3/s, respectively (MRC, 2001a).
-----------------------
Page 4 of 39
The Tonle Sap Lake and floodplains in the heart of Cambodia contain the largest continuous
areas of natural wetlands habitats remaining in the Mekong system, while being the largest
permanent freshwater body in Southeast Asia. More than one million people live in the
immediate surroundings of the Tonle Sap Lake and wetlands, being the poorest ones in
Cambodia, and highly dependent on agriculture and fisheries. The Tonle Sap River connects the
lake to the Mekong River and joins it at Chaktomuk junction near Phnom Penh, after which the
river immediately splits into the smaller Bassac River and the larger Mekong River. The area is
globally unique and the lake has an extraordinary hydrological system. In the wet season, the
Tonle Sap River changes its direction and flows to the Tonle Sap Lake instead from the lake
because of the flooding of the Mekong River. The area of the lake varies between dry and wet
season from 2500 km2 up to about 15 000 km2 while the depth of the lake increases from less
than one meter up to 7 - 9 m. During the wet season, the volume of the lake increases from about
1.3 km3 up to 60-80 km3 depending of the flood intensity. The bottom of the lake lies
approximately 0.5-0.7 m above the mean sea level. Hence, during the year the surface of the lake
varies between 1 m and 10 m above the mean sea level, respectively (Wup-Fin, 2003).
Among its important tributaries in Cambodia are Sesan, Srepork and Sekong River, which drain
part of southern Laos, western Vietnam and northeastern Cambodia. The Sesan River is largest
Mekong tributary in Cambodia. It has a drainage area of 18,000 km2, of which 11,000 km2 are
located in Vietnam from where the river originates. The remaining 7,773 km2 are drain in
Cambodia before discharging into the Mekong River in Stung Treng province. This basin is
generally mountainous, with two large plains: the high plateau in Vietnam, and the wide Sesan
valley around Voeun Sai (MoWRAM, 2003).
Table1: A summary of available statistics relating to Cambodia's water resources
Parameters Value
Population of Cambodia in 2008 14,2 million
Total land area of Cambodia 181,035 km2
Mekong River
Total Length 40,00 km
Total drainage area 795,00 km2
Length in Cambodia 486 km
Drainage area in Cambodia 156,000 km2
Sesan River (original in Vietnam) Total
drainage area 17,968 km2
Se Kong River
Drainage area in Cambodia 514 km2
Srepok River
Tonle Sap Lake: 2,600-15,000 km2
Surface area Volume ~ 70 billion m3
Rainy Season (May-October) 80% of annual rainfall
Average Temperature 28 ºC
Source: MoWRAM (2003)
-----------------------
Page 5 of 39
Cambodia is well supply with water resources. Surface water, mainly from the Mekong River
supplies most of the eastern parts of the country, while the Tonle Sap River supplies the west and
central parts of the country with drinking water and water for cooking. These two systems
provide ample good quality drinking water when compared with WHO guideline values, and
require only basic treatment such as disinfection. The surface water used as a drinking water
supply, is often the same as used for bathing, washing clothes, and disposing of waste products.
Like other tropical countries, these surface waters are affecting by the seasonal conditions and
during the wet season regularly inundate the flood plains surrounding the rivers and their
tributaries.
The Tonle Sap Lake also represents a huge natural storage covering 2,500 km2, in the dry season
to over 13,000 km2 at the end of the rainy season. This lake is subject to re-suspension of
particulate matter and contamination with chemical discharges from industry, and from
pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture particularly during the wet season of the total urban
population of Cambodia of some 2 million, nearly half-live in the capital Phnom Penh while the
remainders distributed across 23 urban centers. These provincial centers generally have access to
surface water from the river systems in unlimited quantities however the coverage of the piped
water supply in these towns is as low as 15%, with service restricted to the central areas of the
town. Rural areas utilize streams, lakes, and ponds, and groundwater resources from tube, pipe
and dug wells.
3) Climate
Cambodia has tropical monsoon. The wet season starts in May and ends in October. The rainfall
pattern is bi-modal with peaks in June and September/October. In August, a short period of
drought may damage wet-season rice, which not irrigated. The dry season from November to
April is associated with the northeast monsoon, which sends drier and cooler air. The rainy
season from May to October, which rainfall largely derived from the southwest monsoon drawn
landward from the Indian’s Ocean. Three climatic zones have defined for the country, firstly the
coastal and mountainous area of the southwest, secondly the central plains that include the
Mekong and the Tonle Sap Lake, and thirdly the North and Northeastern region (Sokha, 2006).
In Phnom Penh, the monthly rainfall ranges from 5 millimeters (mm) in January to 255 mm in
October. The average annual rainfall is estimate at 1,463 mm but varies from about 1,000 mm in
Svay Check in the western province of Banteay Meanchey to nearly 4,700 mm in Bokor in the
southern province of Kampot. The mean annual evaporation varies from 1,000 to 2,300
mm/year. April is the warmest month of the year with a maximum temperature of 36°C, while
January is the coldest with 21°C (Matlock, 2007).
-----------------------
Page 6 of 39
II Water quality issue
1) Population and Wastewater

Phnom Penh is a capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia with the total land area of 290.06 km2 and
located on a flat alluvial plain at the western bank of the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap,
and Bassac Rivers. Phnom Penh stretches over 376 km2 , and has a permanent population of 1.5
million, living in 4 inner districts with a density of 25,000 prs / km2 representing 8% of the total
area, and 3 outer districts with a density of only 2,500 prs / km2. At the same time, there are non-
permanent populations of about 500,000 prs who come daily to the city for work / business, in
transit and as tourists.
Phnom Penh city does not have a wastewater treatment plant, most of the discharges from
Phnom Penh municipal are reach to the Mekong , Tonle Sap and Bassac River through two
major water ways Boeng Pung Peay (at northern part of the city) and Boeng Choeng Ek/Stung
Chov (at southern part of the city). Remarkably, water flows from Boeng Pung Peay to the Tonle
Sap River only within the rainy season (Sokha, 2006).
Boeng Pung Peay and Boeng Cheng Ek are natural wetlands. These wetlands are having been
use to receiving of the municipal’s wastewater and treat by natural treatment, this system called
Natural Wastewater Purification System (NWPS). There is no study has ever aimed to understand the
overall functioning of water purification through this system in Cambodia, but according to US EPA
(2000), using of this system allow a reduction of :
- 86% of solid materials flowing through the humid zone

- BOD5 reduction of 80 to 96%
- Cupper, Mercury, zinc and Lead contents reaching 60 to 80 %
Besides this, studying humid ones in tropical developing countries also notices that NWPS lead
to a high reduction of nitrogen (from 30 to 50%), phosphorus (from 20 to 60%) and
bacteriological from 60 to 99%) contents in wastewater (Lim, P.,2008).
2) Industrial waste
Industrial sector has commonly developed rapidly in Phnom Penh and provinces closed to this
City, but the factories and manufactures have mixed with residential and business areas. Up to
now, there are about 92.6% of special factories (factories use chemicals/chemical compound in
their production processes) and normal factories (factories no not use chemicals/chemical
compound in their production processes) merely 5% have proper on-site wastewater treatment
especial factories are remarkably prioritized to treat their wastewater before discharging into
receiving sources. Intern of decreasing on untreated of the wastewater, the volume of treated
wastewater from the factories has increased since 2000 (Sokha, 2006).
3) Agricultural Waste
The people in Cambodia approximately 85% of the total population are farmers. After the Civil
war up to day, they continued to do a traditional farming to improve their living style as well as
national economy.
Fertilizers are being widely used in the agricultural sector for improving soil fertility and
increasing rice/crop yields. Pesticide utilization is another important factor to control and kill
harmful pests. Other research found that, about 420 different pesticide trade or brand names were
available in the surveyed markets in 9 provinces such as Battambang, Pursat, Kampong
Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Kratie, Kandal and Prey Veng
(CEDAC, 2002). In addition, the agro-chemical consumption is widely used at low land areas
-----------------------
Page 7 of 39
along Mekong and the Mekong delta especially some provinces that located surrounding Tonle
Sap Lake these agricultural areas are backing to the Cambodia economy. Howsoever, an
agricultural waste was estimate to be less than 1% of total wastes, which contained toxic
bottles/cans or agro-chemical residues which over-expiry date (MoE, 2002). As a general
observation, agricultural wastes are disposed in waste containers same as domestic wastes or at
opened dumping sites or opened areas. Concernedly, because of low awareness and insufficiency
in daily living, people used pesticide container as a container for other domestic purposed
(Sokha, 2006).
-----------------------
Page 8 of 39
III . Water Quality Monitoring Network in Cambodia
Water Quality Monitoring Network at Lower Mekong Basin is a complementary to the

Environmental Programme. It is funded by SIDA through Mekong River Commission
cooperated with each NMC of four countries Cambodia, Lao, Thailand and Viet Nam. This
activities were mainly established and implementation as the integral part of the MRC Water
Quality Monitoring Programme in the Lower Mekong Basin. It should be notice that the Water
Quality Monitoring Programme had started its implementation in another three member
countries (Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam) since 1985, i.e. eight years earlier than in
Cambodia. As for the first step, the water quality-monitoring programme initiated in August
1993 with five monitoring stations. Later on in 1995, six new stations additionally established to
improve the capacity of the network (MRCS, 2003).
From 2004, Cambodia has been adding more stations up to 21 including main rivers and
tributaries in the hold country. The select stations is focus on place that located in trains
boundary issues or regional interest and can be provide information related to water quality,
hydrology for both countries and this new network is divide into:
The primary stations are mainly located in trains boundary issues or regional interest and basin-
wide significance those stations can be provide information that related to water quality,
hydrology for both countries.
The secondary station is mainly on national or local interest and located in tributaries or rivers
that originate around Great Lake (Tonle Sap Lake), where the Hydrometric are located. The
object of new stations is to control and comparison between water qualities at up and
downstream of that river before enters to the Great Lake.
Following by agreement sign between Mekong River Commission and Cambodia National
Mekong River Committee (CNMC), the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology is the
key central agency acting. MoWRAM has responsibilities to implementing on water resources
development and management throughout the country such as research and investigations of
water resources, prepare plans for water resources development and conservation, gather and
manage data and information about surface water, groundwater and administer international
collaboration including that within the Mekong River basin. Among them, the Department of
Hydrology and River Works is nation-wide responsible for water quality monitoring and
management, hydrological monitoring network management and development, flood forecasting,
flood management and mitigation and other water-related investigations, etc. The Water Quality
Analysis Office and its Laboratory under the department of Hydrology and River Works, has a
specific responsibility for water quality monitoring and management nationwide. This laboratory
has been working with the collaboration, technical and financial supports from MRC since 1992
and so on. The Water Quality Laboratory of the MoWRAM is a designated institution for MRC
through its environment Programme. Meanwhile the specific responsibilities are located with a
range of government agencies.
In 2004, this laboratory is starting to upgrade the quality on data analysis intern of enhances
technical and managerial on capacity of the laboratory. The international standard 17025 (ISO
17025) is have been develop and implementing to ensure that the data provide by the laboratory
will meet the basic standards of data reliability quality control. We also conducted the analyses
on Performance Evaluation Test (PE sample) that provided by APG and supported by Mekong
River Commission sine 2006. This activity will be conducting one time per year. However, the
result in 2006 and 2007 about 94 % of data were reports to APG have met the acceptable range.
-----------------------
Page 9 of 39
IV Methodology
1) Sampling
- Sampling Station
There are total 21 of water quality stations sine 2004 and has been divided into primary (19
stations) and secondary network. The primary network is consisting on basin wide and /or
transboundary interest and used to provide information that related to water quality or hydrology
for both countries. According to this objective, most of the primary stations are mainly located at
the same place with hydrometric stations on the Mekong River mainstream, and major tributary
as well as other stations are indicative of water quality that caused by a condition and common to
two or more countries (e.g. basin-wide issue such as eutrophication). The secondary network is
mainly on national or local interest. All stations are located in tributaries or rivers that originate
around Great Lake (Tonle Sap Lake), where the Hydrometric are located. The object of new
stations is to control and comparison between water qualities at up and downstream of that river
before enters to the Great Lake.
To easily for identify the station, name and code have been set up for each sampling site and all
stations name is mostly the same as the name of city or village where the sample were take,
however the station codes are adopted from the MRC hydrological network (Table: 2).
- Sampling Technique
The sampling water is taking by using the Ruttner water sampler at the depth of 30-50 cm in the
middle of the river.
The first sampled water is use to clean the

sampled bottles and then the second
sampled water is used for analytical
purposes (the same procedures for water
quality sampling are applied for all water
quality stations).
The total sampling volume in the each time is dividing as:

Total Suspended Solid, Total Phosphorus and Alkalinity, which amount 250 ml
Dissolve Oxygen, 125 ml
Chemical Oxygen Demand, 200 ml
General analysis (Minerals), 1,000 ml
Microbiological (Feacal Coliform) 100- 200 ml
Chlorophyll-a 250- 500 ml
-----------------------
Page 10 of 39
Samples are keeping in icebox and sent to the laboratory within the same day. Sampling date and
time, river name, weather conditions at the time of/or before sampling are recorded in the
laboratory' field sheet
Filed record, preservation, handing and shipping
Temperature was measure on side by thermometer
DO have been persevered by using of

reagents DOI and DO II and titration
immediately in the day after (Winkler
method)
CODMn has been preserved by 2 ml of

H2SO4 (4.5 mol/l) in to 200ml of sample
All sample are kept in the ice box and temperature in the ice box are have been record after
sample arrive at the laboratory
Most of the stations, sample is take by technical staffs from Water Quality Analysis
office but some stations that far from Phnom Penh, samples will be take by provincial
staffs (line agencies of Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology) and send to
Laboratory in Phnom Penh by bus.
- Sampling Frequency
Sampling analyses is practice in monthly activities with 19 indicators including physical, mineral
and nutrients. There are 246 samples having implemented for the hold year and data assessment
is apply for all stations. Samplings are taking in the middle of every month between 13th and
18th.
-----------------------
Page 11 of 39
Table 2: Sampling Location and code
Station Station River/ Station

Y X
Code Name Stung identification
Stung Treng
H 014501 Mekong Primary 13º 54’500” 106º01’639”
Kratie
H 014901 Mekong Primary 12º47’000” 106º02’000”
Kampong Cham
H 019802 Mekong Primary 119º 94’18” 105º46’891”
Chroy Changvar
Neak Loeung
Kaorm Samnor
Phnom Krom
H 020108 Tonle Sap Lake Primary 13º29’389” 103º81’722”
Kampong Loung
H 020106 Tonle Sap Lake Primary 12º60’075” 104º22’112”
Back Prea
H 020107 Sangkeo Primary 13º30’861" 103º39’917”
Kampong Chhnang
H 020103 Tonle Sap Primary 12º26’942” 104º68’215”
Prek Kdam
Phnom Penh Port
Takhmao
H 033401 Bassac Primary 11º47’853” 104º95’303”
Koh Khel
Koh Thom
Phum Pi
H 440102 Sesan Primary 13º79’138” 107º44’861”
Angdoung Meas
H 440103 Sesan Primary 14º04’694” 107º10’694”
Lumphat
H 450101 Srepork Primary 13º54’944” 106º52’833”
Siempang
H 430102 Sekong Primary 14º11’917” 106º39’330”
Kompong Thom
H 610101 Stung Sen Secondary 12º68’611” 104º90’000”
Kompong Thmar
H 620101 Stung Chinit Secondary 12º50’083” 105º13’083”
The primary station will include stations at each of the MRC hydrology stations on the Mekong
main stream, and near the mouth of any major tributaries as well as other stations within the
basin that are indicative of water quality that is caused by a condition that is common to two or
more countries (e.g. basin-wide issue such as eutrophication).
-----------------------
Page 12 of 39
Figure A: Map of Water Quality Monitoring Network in Cambodia
-----------------------
Page 13 of 39
2) Parameters and Analytical Method
Since the water quality laboratory established in 1993, we were using the method for analysis of
physical, major ions, nutrients and some organic parameters following by Standard Method for
the Examination of Water and Wastewater 20th 1998 Edition by APHA, AWWA, WEF. Those
methods are have been revising by auditor team from MRC cooperated with quality manager in
laboratory in year 2004 by adding control solution according to international standard ISO 17025
(Parameters and Method in table 3).
In July 2007, Coliform and Chlorophyll-a are being start to analyze following with same method
that provided during the training in Bangkok, 2005.
Table 3: List of parameter and Method

Nº Parameters Unit Uncertainty
Method Use Method Code
(UM %)
1 pH - Electrometric 4500-H+/SM 0.7
2 Conductivity ms/m 25 ºC Electrometric 2510-Ec/SM 6.8
Residue Filtration
3 TSS mg/l 2540-TSS/SM N/A
103-105 ºC
4 Ca meq/l EDTA Titration 3500-Ca-B/SM 1.08
5 Mg meq/l EDTA Titration 3500-Mg-B/SM N/A
6 Na meq/l Flam Photometer 3500-Na-B/SM 7.3
7 K meq/l Flam Photometer 3500-K-B/SM 3.0
8 Alk. meq/l Titration 2320-A/SM 2.8
9 SO4 meq/l Turbid 4500- SO4 –E/SM 18
10 Cl meq/l Mercurimetric 4500-Cl/SM 2.1
11 NO3+N mg/l Cd redactor 4500-NO2-3/SM 5.2
Digestion with
12 Total-N mg/l 4500-N/SM N/A
K2S2O8
13 NH4-N mg/l Indophenols blue 4500-NH4/SM 4.5
Digestion with
14 Tot.P mg/l 4500-P/SM 5.0
K2S2O8
15 DO mg/l Winkler 4500-O/SM 5.6
Permanganate
16 CODMn mg/l 5220-COD/SM N/A
Oxidation
10200-
17 Chlorophyll-a mg/l Spectrometric N/A
Chlorophyll/MS
Faecal MPN in 100 9221-Fecal
18 Multiple Tube N/A
Coliform ml Coliform group/SM
N/A = Not Available
-----------------------
Page 14 of 39
3) Data assessment methodology
Excel and SYSTAT used for marking graph to see the trend of individual parameters (In
SYSTAT, the box plot graph is used in which bars on the box illustrate the data distribution
as <10%, 25%, median 50%, 75%, and >90%). Some stations located only Main River
(Mekong and Bassac) and main Tonle Sap River are will be select for this report which some
common parameter:
Conductivity indicator of salinity increase

pH and Alkalinity indicator of buffer capacity
Total Suspended solid (TSS) indicator of land disturbance and erosion
Nutrients indicator of eutrophication potential
DO and COD indicator of organic pollution
Data assessment for this report is done by using water quality index value that calculation by
using some indicators as accepted by Regional Adviser Group meeting (RTAG) at Halong,
Viet Nam in 2006. However, some common parameter that have been agree related to water
quality index such as EC, pH, Total-P, NO3 -N, NH4-N, DO and COD. The statuses for the
stations presented in median values for the period 2005 – 2008. There are three main
category of water quality index were accept from Regional Technical Adviser Group (RTAG
meeting) July 2006 at Halong, Viet Nam. Each category is subdivide into classes according
to the numbers of chemical parameters that has been selected and meet with guideline
threshold. The classes are WQIal (Not impact, slightly impact, Impacted and Very Impact),
WQIhi (Not Impact, Slightly impact, Impacted and Very impacted) and WQIag (Not impact,
Slightly to moderately impacted and Severe Impacted).
- Water Quality Index for protect aquatic life (WQIal)

- Water Quality Index for human health on water quality (WQIhi)
- Water Quality Index for agriculture use (WQIag): are have been divide into three part:
(i), General irrigation, (ii), Irrigation of Paddy Rice and (iii), Livestock and Poultry
The calculation of WQIs is following by equation as below:
Σ (p1 + p2 …… pn)
WQIs = –––––––––––––––– x 10
M
Where, p = number of points per sample
n = number of samples in the year
M = maximum possible number of points in the year
This procedure provides for bias in cases where some measurements were not measure.
Multiplying by ten provides for scale between 10 (highest quality) and 0 (lowest quality).
-----------------------
Page 15 of 39
Water Quality Index for Protection of Aquatic Life (WQIal) :
Water quality indices and threshold values for protection of aquatic life
Parameter Symbol Threshold Value Unit Weight Factor
pH value pH 6.5 -8.5 - 2
Conductivity EC < 70 mS/m 2
Ammonia NH3-N 0.05 mg/L 2
Dissolved oxygen DO >5 mg/L 2
Nitrite&Nitrate-N NO2&3- N < 0.7 mg/L 1
Total Phosphorous-P Total-P < 0.13 mg/L 1
The value of 1 or 2 are weighting used in the algorithm to reflect the relative importance, or
confidence in the parameter (if the values of all parameters above dose not meet the threshold
value, the weight factor will be equal zero).
Table 4: Classification system for protection of aquatic life
Scale Class Comment
10- Not impact Requires that all four parameters must be

9.5 compliant, With few exceptions
9-9.5 Slightly impacted Requires that all four parameters must be

compliant, most of the time
7-9 Impacted One or more of the four primary parameters will

not be compliant much of the time
<7 Very impacted Many of the primary parameters will not be

compliant most of the time)
Human Impact on Water Quality (WIhi):
Parameters and threshold values used for WQIhi
Parameter Factor Symbol Threshold value Unit Weight
Dissolved oxygen DO ≥6 mg/L 1
Ammonium NH4-N < 0.05 mg/L 1
Chemical Oxygen Demand COD <4 mg/L 1
-----------------------
Page 16 of 39
Table 5: Classification system for human impact on water quality
Scale Class
10-9.5 Not impact
8.5-9.5 Slightly impacted
7-8.5 Impacted
<7 Very impacted
Water Quality Index for Agriculture Use WQIag:
Water Quality Index for agriculture (WQIag) is classify in to three indices: Irrigation, Livestock
and Poultry watering which one indicator (conductivity) is being use for make the calculation for
index value.
Agriculture use Good quality Fair quality Poor quality
Irrigation Water - general < 70 70 - 300 > 300
Irrigation Water - paddy rice < 200 200 - 480 > 480
Livestock and poultry < 500 500 - 800 > 800
Weight factor 2 1 0
Table 6: Classification system for agriculture use
Scale Class
10-9.5 Not impact
9.5-7 Slightly to moderately impacted
<7 Severe Impacted
-----------------------
Page 17 of 39
V Result and discussion
1) The trend of individual parameters
Total Suspended Solid (TSS, mg/l)
Figure1, show the deference of median value of TSS along Mekong, Tonle Sap, Bassac
River and Tonle Sap Lake with deference seasonal. In wet season, the concentrate of total
suspended solid at Mekong, Bassac River is extremely high with high flow during July to
September and appears to decrease from October until the dry season. In dry season, Tonle Sap
is generally high concentration of TSS up to 110 mg/l during the lowest of water level in April it
maybe the turbulence with shallow water at some station such as station Kompong Chhnang.
However, Mekong River transports high concentration of Suspended Solid in upstream of
Mekong River and appear to reduce with downstream distance (figure 1a) it is may be due to
sedimentation of TSS during the wet season when the Mekong flow dispersed over a very
extensive floodplain area from Kratie down to Mekong down stream.
200 1600
160 1280
TSS_MGL
TSS_mg/l
120 960
80 RIVER
640
Mekong up
Mekong down
40 Bassac 320
Tonle Sap
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0
MONTH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Tonle Sap Lake (2005-20080)
Figure 1a Figure 1b
Figure 1a&b: the average concentration of total suspended solid at up and down stream of Mekong
river, Bassac, Tonle Sap and Tonle Sap Lake (data sources: MoWRAM 2005-2008). The
Mekong up stream is referring to station Stung Treng, Kratie, Kompong Cham and
Chrouy Chanvar. Mekong Down is also referring to Neak Loeung and Kaorm Samnor.
Contradictory, Tonle Sap Lake is practically high concentration of TSS during the dry season
while the lowest of water level in April or beginning of wet season, it because of the turbulence
with shallow water around the lake areas (figure 1b). Following by Wup-fin report 2001, The
TSS balance show that the Tonle Sap Lake annually retains ca.4 300 000 tons of suspended
solids. This mean Sediment load of ca. 500 g/m2 considering the average lake area to be 8 500
km2, and a yearly sediment accumulation of ca. 0.25 mm when considering the density of the
packed sediment to be close to 2 kg/dm3. Sediment in Tonle Sap Lake is seems to be facilitated
by the vegetation cover of the flood areas. This maybe indicates that sediment accumulation
could be higher in the flooded areas compared to the open parts of the Tonle Sap Lake.
-----------------------
Page 18 of 39
Conductivity (EC, ms/m)
In figure 2, show the deference of median value of EC along Mekong, Tonle Sap, Bassac River
and Tonle Sap Lake with deference seasonal. The high peak of EC is appear at Mekong River in
April and extremely low in August or September while increasing of water level (figure 2a). In
generally mekong river is containing low conductivity (Figure 2b) especially during the wet
season all the sites are obvious annual pattern with low Conductivity and correspondingly high
during the dry season.
24 30
20 25
C O N D _M S M
COND_ms/m
16 20
12 RIVER
15
Mekong up
Mekong down
8 Bassac 10
Tonle Sap
4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 g tie m v g o r a o e l m P m g
T ren Kra Cha hanoeunamn hm h Kh Tho enh Kda hhan
MONTH u ng . C L K o h P k
Kg rouy eak rm S Ta K Ko om Pre Kg. C
St
C h N Kao Ph
n
Station name
Figure 2a Figure 2b
Figure 2a &b: the median of EC at up and down stream of Mekong river, Bassac, and Tonle Sap (data
sources: MoWRAM 2005-2008). The Mekong up stream is referring to station Stung
Treng, Kratie, Kompong Cham and Chrouy Chanvar. Mekong Down is also referring to
Neak Loeung and Kaorm Samnor.
In wet season, Tonle Sap and Bassac River were dilute by the flows from Mekong upstream,
howsoever, the median of Bassac is about 12 ms/m and the lowest is in Tonle Sap River around
10 ms/m.
Interestingly, the EC of Mekong River actually decreased with downstream distance, from a
median about 20 mS/m at Stung Treng (H014501) to 13 mS/m at Kraom Somnor and continues
to decreasing at Bassac River.
Potential Hydrogen (pH)
The Mekong River waters are slightly alkaline (Figure 3b), with median pH value ranging about
7.2 and slightly decreasing at Bassac and Tonle Sap River.
Figure 3a found that, the pH value is almost high during the dry season with the median value
7.5 in April for Mekong and Bassac River and 7.2 at Tonle Sap River. Nevertheless, those values
are seem to be decrease during the wet season.
-----------------------
Page 19 of 39
9.5 8.0
9.0 7.7
8.5 7.5
8.0 7.2
PH
7.5
PH
7.0
7.0 6.7 RIVER1
6.5 6.5 Bassac
6.0 Mekong
6.2 Tonle Sap
5.5 6.0
g tie m a g o r a o e l m P m g
ren Kra Cha hanv oeunamn hm h Kh Tho enh Kda hnan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
n gT k
ng y C k L S Ta Ko Koh om PPrek g.Ch
u p o h r o N e a ao r m
St m Ph
n K MONTH
Ka C K
Station name
Figure 3a Figure 3b
Figure 3a&3b: The median of pH value at monthly observation and pH variation from Mekong down to
Bassac and Tonle Sap (data sources: MoWRAM 2005-2008).
Alkalinity (Alk.,mg/l as CaCO3)
The Mekong River has noticeably higher alkalinity water in the upstream reaches around 85 mg/l
as CaCO3, i.e approx 1.7meq/l and than in the down stream reaches 80 mg/l as CaCO3 i.e
approx 1.6 meq/l at Kaorm Samnor(figure 4a). The same figure is clearly explaining that,
alkalinities is dramatically decrease at the down stream distance of the Mekong River and
continue to decrease at Bassac River for example at the checking point of boundary between
Cambodia /Vietnam (Khos Thom) which median value between 40 mg/l as CaCO3 i.e approx 0.8
meq/l. The lowest of alkalinity water are appearing in Tonle Sap, the concentrate about 35 to 37
mg/l as CaCO3 i.e approx 0.7 to 0.74 meq/l.
90
80
ALK_mg/l as CaCO3
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
g ie a g r o el P am ng
en at am nv un no a h om h a
g Tr Kr . Ch Cha Loe am khm oh K h Th Pen k Kd hh
n g y k S T a K o re .C
u K a
ro Ne or m K m
o P Kg
St h n
C Ka Ph
Station Name
Figure 4: The Alkalinity variation in mg/l CaCO3 from Mekong down to Bassac and Tonle Sap (data
sources: MoWRAM 2005-2008)
-----------------------
Page 20 of 39
Nutrients
- Nitrate (NO3-N)
When the value of TSS started to decrease, the concentration of Total-Phosphorus, Ammonium
and NO3-N of Mekong River rapidly dropped close to the detection limit. The concentration of
NO3-N in Tonle Sap is starting to increase up to the highest value during dry season in April,
which lowest of water level (figure 5a). Nevertheless, this value is dramatically decreasing at the
beginning of wet season in May and continues to decrease until 0.2 mg/l in October. The highest
concentration of NO3-N found in Mekong upstream at Stung Treng which the median value is
about 0.20 mg/l (figure 5b) and slightly decreases at the Mekong downstream about 0.13 mg/l at
Kaorm Samnor and it seen to be stable along the Bassac or Tonle Sap River. This figure also
clearly explain that, the concentration of NO3-N for Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap mostly
lower than the threshold value that has been use to calculate for water quality indices to protect
aquatic life (WQIal).
1.0
1.00
0.9
0.88
0.8 0.75
RIVER1
NO32_mg/l
0.6
NO32_mg/l
0.63
Bassac
0.5 Mekong 0.50
Tonle Sap
0.4 0.38
0.3 0.25
0.1 0.13
0.0 0.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 g ie a g r o el P am ng
Tr Kr Ch Cha Loe am khm oh K h Th Pen k Kd hhn
Month ung
ong
oy ak m
S Ta K Ko m re .C
St r
mp Ch Ne Kao
r no P Kg
Ka Ph
Station name
Figure 5a Figure 5b
Figure 5a &5bc: The variation of NO3-N in mg/l and monthly variation from Mekong down to Bassac and
Tonle Sap. The value 0.7 mg/l is the threshold value that has been use in WQIal to
protect aquatic life (data sources: MoWRAM 2005-2008)
Tonle Sap Lake is the biggest lake in Cambodia, usually is very shallow water depth during dry
season and content with high concentration of total suspended solid or another main indicators
such as nutrients. There are many households that practically with paddy rice and other activities
that is cause of water polluted. However, the median value of NO3-N in Tonle Sap Lake are start
to increase from March and continually increase up to highest value ( 0.92 mg/l ) at the
beginning of rainy season in May.
- Ammonium (NH4-N, mg/l)
The median of Ammonium at Mekong River in both wet and dry season are usually lower than
the threshold value that has been used for calculation of water quality indices to protect aquatic
life (WQIal) and human impact (WQIhi) but it seem to be slightly increase at Mekong down
stream especially at Neak Loeung (figure 6). Bassac River is content with high ammonium
-----------------------
Page 21 of 39
concentration than another river for example at Ta Khmao almost found in high concentration of
ammonium within the wet and dry season. In the dry season, the median value of ammonium in
this station is increase at least two-times if compare to the threshold value for WQIal and WQIhi
or with the median value in during wet season. It because of this station is located at down
stream of Phnom Penh City and Ta Khmao town. Due to physical condition of this river,
ammonium diluted and decrease with downstream station at Koh Khel and Koh Thom.
Howsoever, ammonium at Tonle Sap River is almost the same concentration with Bassac River
but is slightly decrease at station Prek Kdam.
0.40
0.35
0.30
NH4N_mg/l
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10 SEASON
dry
0.05
wet
0.00
g ie a g r o el P am ng
g Tr Kr . Ch Cha Loe am khm oh K h Th Pen k Kd hh
g S a K Ko m re g. C
t un K roy eak rm T
S o no P K
Ch N Ka Ph
Station Name
Figure 6: The comparison of Ammonium concentration between wet and dry season for Mekong
down to Bassac and Tonle Sap. The value 0.05 mg/l is the threshold value that has been
use in WQIal to protect aquatic life and Human Impact (data sources: MoWRAM 2005-
2008).
- Total Phosphorus (Total-P)
Ta Khmao station is appearing with highest concentration of total Phosphorus among three rivers
it probably came with the wastewater from cities.
0.40
0.35
0.30
TOTP_mg/l
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00 g tie am va ng nor ao el m P m ng

en h n u h o h a a
Tr Krag C Cha Loe Sam khm h K Th Pen Kd hhn
g h k
un n y k
po hro ea orm Ta Ko Ko om Pre g.C
St m C N Ka n K
Ka Ph
Station name
Figure 7: The variation of Total_P in mg/l of Mekong down to Bassac and Tonle Sap. The
value 0.13 mg/l is the threshold value that has been use in WQIal to protect
aquatic life (data sources: MoWRAM 2005-2008)
-----------------------
Page 22 of 39
Of cause in the figure 7 is clearly to see the median value of total Phosphorus almost lower than
threshold for protect aquatic life, so far in practically, about 30 % of total number for total
Phoshorus data at Tonle Sap, and Mekong River are higher than 0.13 mg/l and other 35 % at
Bassac River
- Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD, mg/l)
The median of DO concentration is decrease with downstream distance from Mekong River to
Bassac or down to Tonle Sap (Figure 8a), this change probably reflects with general increase the
input of COD over the length of the Mekong River. The lowest of DO in Mekong River is in
Neak Loung, which the median value about 7.0 mg/l probably reflected from household
surrounding that area, however the median of COD at Neak Loung is still in the good condition.
10.0 10.0
9.0 8.8
8.0 7.5
CODMN_mg/l
7.0 6.2
DO_mg/l
6.0 5.0
5.0 3.7
4.0 2.5
3.0 1.3
2.0 0.0
g e m a g or ao el m P m ng ng tie m va ng o
r o el m P m ng
en ati a nv un n h o h a a re Kra Cha han oeu amn hma Kh Tho enh Kda hna
Tr Kr g Ch Cha Loe am khm h K h Th Pen k Kd hhn gT g y C k L S Tak Koh oh P k h
g S Ta Ko Ko om Pre g.C
un on oy ak rm un n
o ro a rm K nom Pre g.C
St p r
m Ch Ne Kao n K St mp Ch Ne Kao h K
Ka Ph K a P
Station name Station name
Figure 8a
Figure 8b
Figure 8a & 8b: The variation of DO and COD in mg/l and monthly observation of variation from
Mekong down to Bassac and Tonle Sap. 5.0 and 4 mg/l are the threshold value
that has been use in WQIal to protect aquatic life (data sources: MoWRAM 2005-
2008)
Generally, Tonle Sap always content with the lowest of DO concentration if compare among
three main rivers for example Kompong Chhnange station that located close to Tonle Sap Lake’s
mouth the median of DO is appear around 6.0 mg/l within the minimum value about 2.0 mg/l.
The lowest concentration DO it is generally found in Tonle Sap with COD concentration about
20 % are less than 6.0 mg/l probably effect from waste discharge with high in organic matter and
Nutrients. Howsoever, the median values of COD at all stations almost lower than threshold
value that used for water quality indices to protect of aquatic life (figure 8b) but maximum
concentration are extremely high especially Bassac and Tonle Sap River. It is should be
recognize that, about 20 to 25 % of COD concentration during last four years at Mekong, Tonle
Sap and Bassac River are higher than 4.0 mg/l(MoWRAM, 2007).
Tonle Sap Lake have difference physical condition with another main river especially Mekong
River, during the dry season the water is became poor quality which content with bad smell and
dark color it is because of water dept was shallow, temperature increase up 32 °C and receiving
-----------------------
Page 23 of 39
with high concentration of Nutrients or COD (MoWRAM, 2007). The highest of COD
concentration in Tonle Sap Lake are appear with the median value up to 6.0 mg/l, occur it is
found during dry season from December to April. Generally, about 58 % of the total number of
COD data in Tonle Sap Lake has found that higher than threshold value.
DO COD
Figure 8c: The median value of DO and COD at Tonle Sap Lake (data sources: MoWRAM 2005-2008)
2) The Water Quality Data Assessment by using Water Quality Index (WQIs)
The median annual values water quality indices (WQIs) for aquatic life (WQIal), Human impact
(WQIhi) and agriculture uses (WQIag). These WQIs calculated using the entire data for period
2005 -2008 and the median value for all stations show in table???.
- The water quality indices for aquatic life (WQIal)

The tributary and main river stations are present between not impact and slightly impact class.
However, the most of tributary stations are appearing at slightly impacted but the result also
shows that, Tonle Sap Lake and Sangkeo River are stay in impacted class.
The water quality indices for Human impacted (WQIhi)
Following by table 7, water quality indices for human impact are significantly lower than indices
value of aquatic life and stand between impacted and very impacted except Kompong Cham
station is class as slightly impacted. Most of the stations that located along Bassac, Tonle Sap
and Tonle Sap Lake including another two secondary stations are stay in very impacted
classification. Among of those Backprea in Sangkeo River is finding in the lowest indices value
and this situation appears at station Phnom Krom in Tonle Sap Lake. However, three stations on
main tributary of Mekong upstream: Se San, Sekong and Srepork are stand as impacted class.
We can be recognizing that, none stations are stand on not impacted class at both main river
either tributary stations.
- The water quality index for Agriculture uses (WQIag)

All stations are stay in good quality class.
-----------------------
Page 24 of 39
Table7: The median value of three Water Quality Indices for Main River and Tributary stations
River WQIag
Station Name WQIal WQIhi Paddy Live
/Stung
General Rice stock
H014501 Stung Treng Mekong 9.3 7.8 10.0 10.0 10.0
H014901 Kratie Mekong 9.4 8.1 10.0 10.0 10.0
H019801 Chroy Chanvar Mekong 9.5 8.2 10.0 10.0 10.0
H019802 Kompong Cham Mekong 9.5 8.9 10.0 10.0 10.0
H019806 Neak Loeung Mekong 9.5 7.9 10.0 10.0 10.0
H019807 Kaorm Samnor Mekong 9.6 7.6 10.0 10.0 10.0
H033401 Takhmao Bassac 9.3 5.8 10.0 10.0 10.0
H033402 Koh Khel Bassac 9.6 6.9 10.0 10.0 10.0
H033403 Koh Thom Bassac 9.5 6.8 10.0 10.0 10.0
H020101 Phnom Penh Port Tonle Sap 9.3 6.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
H020102 Prek Kdam Tonle Sap 9.1 6.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
H020103 Kompong Chhang Tonle Sap 8.6 6.1 10.0 10.0 10.0
H020106 Kampong Loung Tonle Sap Lake 8.9 5.6 10.0 10.0 10.0
H020107 Back Prea Sangkeo 7.8 2.8 10.0 10.0 10.0
H020108 Phnom Krom Tonle Sap Lake 8.8 4.6 10.0 10.0 10.0
H430102 Siempang Sekong 9.8 8.1 10.0 10.0 10.0

H440102 Phum Pi ** Se San N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
H440103 Angdoung Meas Se San 9.6 8.2 10.0 10.0 10.0
H450101 Lumphat Srepork 9.4 7.8 10.0 10.0 10.0
H610101 Kompong Thom* Stung Sen 9.2 6.3 10.0 10.0 10.0
H620101 Kompong Thmar* Stung Chinit 9.7 6.9 10.0 10.0 10.0
Data source: Department of Hydrology and River Works, MoWRAM (2005-2008)

Note: median value for 2005-2008, * secondary station, ** Six months of data record, the colours of the values follow the
respective water quality classes, Blue = Not impact, Green = Slightly impact, Yellow = Impacted and Red = Very Impacted.
-----------------------
Page 25 of 39
- Trend of Water Quality Indices (WQIs)
a, Mekong and Bassac River
Figure 9a, 9b & 9c are representative for WQIs trends for mainstream station that list from
Mekong (at Stung Treng) down to Bassac River and comparison of the trends for previous years.
Base on the result of WQIs calculation and guideline value indicate that, the water quality
indices for aquatic life (WQIal) at Mekong mainstream inherent another station in Bassac River
including the last station at checking point before entering into Viet Nam are always stand at
high quality except Takhmao station is stand for slightly impacted classification (figure 9a).
11.0
9.8
8.6
WQIs
7.4
Figure 9a
6.2 WQIAL
WQIHI
5.0
g ie a g r o el
r en rat ham anv eun mno hma Kh hom
K . C Ch Lo T
gT a h
S a K Ko o h
un Kg roy eak rm T K
St o
Ch N Ka
Station name
During the previous years, water quality indices for human impact are likely appearing with the
same trend. High water quality indices score usually fund at Mekong upstream from Stung
Treng down to Chrouy Changvar station but is decreasing with downstream distance and
dramatically decrease at Takhmao station (Figure 9b).
11.0
Not impacted
9.8
Slightly Impacted
8.6
WQIhi
Impacted
7.4
YEAR
Very Impact
2005
6.2 2006
2007
2008
5.0
ng tie m va ng or ao hel om
Tre Kra Cha han oeu amn hm K Th Figure 9b
g . C L S a K Koh oh
t un Kg roy eak rm T K
S
Ch N Kao
Station name
-----------------------
Page 26 of 39
However, Koh Khel and Kos Thom are slightly increase if compare with Takhmao station. it
maybe reflected by declining on concentration of major indicators such as Nitrate, Ammonium,
Total-P and COD with long distance and there is no any main water pollution source have been
found along river side between Takhmao down to Koh Thom station (last checking point
between Cambodia and Vitenam).
As mention above, the indices score of WQIhi for mainstream stations are almost lower than 9 it
mean that the water quality at those stations are likely polluted. However, Kompong Cham
station located just upstream of Kompong Cham Town found at the highest indices score for
WQIhi but oppositely with this, Ta Khmao stations is stand in the lowest and badly condition
compare with other (figure 9b).Generally, Ta Khmao is one station that contaminate with high
concentration of Ammonium and Total Phosphorus especially in the dry season. It is maybe
affects by the discharge from Phnom Penh or Ta Khmao Town.
In the same figure can be summary that, the water quality indices for Human impact (WQIhi) are
dividing into three classifications. Class 1: from Stung Treng down to Chrouy Changvar are
stand for slightly impacted, Class 2: Neak Loung down to Kaorm Samnor (Mekong downstream)
are stand for impacted and Class 3: remaining for Bassac River are stand for very impacted. It is
should be recognize there is no any station along Bassac and Tonle Sap River are stand at not
impact classification for WQIhi.
11.0
Not impacted
9.8
8.6
Slightly impacted
WQIal
YEAR
7.4
2005
2006
6.2 2007
2008
5.0
ng tie m va ng or ao hel om
Tre Kra Cha han oeu amn hm K Th Figure 9c
g . C L S a K Koh oh
tun Kg roy eak rm T K
S
Ch N Kao
Station name
Figure 9a, 9b& 9c: The median value of WQI hi and WQIal at mainstream station within data record
from 2005-2008
Most of the mainstream stations within the water data during 2005-2008 are standing between
slightly impacted and not impacted classes for WQIal (Figure 9c). The trend WQIal in year 2008
is much more higher indices score than 2006 or 2007, but the best trend was appeared in 2005
with almost station are stand in good water quality for aquatic life.
b, Trend of WQIs for tributaries
The tributary is representative for some stations that located as local or trans-boundary interest
such as Tonle Sap, Tonle Sap Lake, Sangkeo, Srepork, Se San, and Sekong River. The graph in
the figure 10 showing the WQIhi and WQIal within difference station and comparison on indices
score during previous years.
-----------------------
Page 27 of 39
There are three boundaries stations concern on Sekong, Srepork and Sesan River (not including
Phum Pi). Those rivers always indicate with appearing with high water quality indices score in
either WQIhi or WQIal among four year of data record, this can be understand there no any
pollutants affected into those rivers. However, in figure 10a, b is indicate that the median value
of WQIhi for some stations at Tonle Sap and Tonle Sap Lake are lower than 7 and look quite the
same trend among previous years including 2008. Cause of this result maybe affected from
domestic waste from town or public gathering place surrounding those stations for example
Phnom Krom or Kompong Loung in Tole Sap Lake.
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
7
WQIhi
WQIhi
5 5
4 4 YEAR
3 3 05
06
2 2 07
1 08
s 1
om ng ng am nh a ate ng rea
Kr Lou hha Kd Pe gme ph mpa ckp s
om ng ng am nh a ate ng rea
m . C k m n m
no Kg Kg. Pre hno dou Lu Si
e Ba Kr Lou hha Kd Pe gme ph mpa ckp
om . C k m n m e Ba
Ph P ng n Kg Kg. Pre hno dou Lu Si
A Ph P ng
Station A
Station
Figure 10a Figure 10b
10.0 10
9.6
9
9.2
8.9 9
WQIal
WQIal
8.5
8 YEAR
8.1 05
06
7.8 8 07
7.4 08
7
7.0 om ng ng am nh a
s
ate ng rea
s
om ng ng am nh a ate ng rea Kr Lou hha Kd Pe gme ph mpa ckp
Kr Lou hha Kd Pe gme ph mpa ckp m . C k m n
no Kg Kg. Pre hno dou
m
Lu Sie B
a
m . C k m n m e Ph
no Kg Kg. Pre hno dou Lu Si Ba P ng
Ph P ng A
A Station
station
Figure 10c Figure 10d
Figure 10a, 10b& 10c: The median value of WQI hi and WQIal at mainstream station within data record
from 2005-2008
-----------------------
Page 28 of 39
Backprea is one station located in Sangkeo River and present as local interest purpose, it is the
most seriously problem in water quality for the hold network (Cambodia side). In generally,
WQIhi is stay in severely impact class since the year 2005. Due to the water quality data, this
station is content with low concentration of Dissolve Oxygen (between 3.8 and 5.8 mg/l) and
average concentration of COD content from 4.0 to 7.0 mg/l in the hold year (MoWRAM, 2007).
Remaining that this station is located in flood plain as tributary of Tonle Sap Lake and have
different physical condition with another main river especially Mekong River. During the dry
season, the water is became poor quality which content with bad smell and dark color it because
of water dept was shallow, no flow, temperature increase up 32 ° C and cause of high
concentration of Nutrients or COD. It should be remarkable that, the trends of all tributaries
stations among four years of data record are not significant difference.
In generally, the water quality indices to protect aquatic life (WQIal) is generally appearing
between slightly impacted to not impacted classification, except Backprea station is stay in
impacted class. From the result we can be recognizing that Tonle Sap River have index value
higher than Tonle Sap Lake evenly Phnom Krom or Kompong Loung are slightly increase if
compare with last three years of data (figure10d).
-----------------------
Page 29 of 39
VI Conclusion and Recommendation
4.1 Conclusion
- Water Quality Trends
The following by comparison between data and some of water quality standards such as World
Health Organization (WHO), Standard for Agriculture and National standards, The current water
quality of Mekong River and the main tributaries has been conclude as below:
Mekong River and some tributaries are stays in fresh water condition, almost of conductivity is
less than 100 ms/m and pH value are still in the range.
Median value of total suspended solid for the hold network mostly found in significant
difference with seasonal variation. For example, TSS in Mekong River is various between least
than 10 mg/l in the dry season and dramatically increase within high flow from August to
September. However, Mekong River transports high concentration of Suspended Solid in
upstream and appear to decline with downstream distance.
Tonle Sap Lake is content with high TSS concentration in the hold year and contradictory from
another river. Within the low flow from Mekong River during dry season this lake usually have
low water level and shallow water it is maybe cause of high concentration of total suspended
solid. Moreover, those concentrations dramatically declining during the wet season by diluted
with high water flow from Mekong through Tonle Sap River and from its main tributaries
surrounding that areas.
It could be remarkable that, the total suspended solid concentration at all station are practically
higher than the value of water quality guideline for protect of aquatic life that issue by world
health organization (WHO).
The highest concentration of NO3-N is appear in Mekong upstream at Stung Treng and slightly
decreases at Mekong downstream or Bassac River. However, Median value of NO3-N in
Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap mostly lower than the threshold value that has been use to
calculate for water quality indices to protect aquatic life (WQIal).
During the dry season, Nitrate in Tonle Sap Lake is increase up to highest value about 0.92 mg/l,
this level of nitrate is tending to stimulate algal growth and indicate possible to eutrophication
condition.
The median Ammonium and Phosphorus found in high concentration during dry season,
especially in Bassac River at Takhmao station but due to physical condition of this river,
Ammonium or Phosphorus were dilute and decreases with downstream station at Koh Khel and
Koh Thom.
The median value of dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen are generally found in acceptable
and accordance with the WHO's water quality level for fish habitat. Howsoever, we found some
data are not stay in limitation of thresholds value, which appeared during the dry season of some
river especially in Bassac River, Tonle Sap River and Tonle Sap Lake. The values it will be
cause of serious for aquatic life and fish.
-----------------------
Page 30 of 39
- Water Quality Index
This assessment report is used water quality data under Water Quality Monitoring Networks
Programme which period 2005-2008. Follow up by result and discussion we can came up with
summaries as below:
- Water Quality Index for Agriculture Use (WQIag)
Almost stations in both mainstream and tributaries are standing in good quality for agriculture
used in term of general irrigation, paddy rice and livestock.
- Water Quality Index to Protect Aquatic Life (WQIal)
The WQIal at Mekong mainstream and tributaries or trains boundary station such as Tonle Sap,
Tonle Sap Lake, Sesan, Sekong or Srepork River mostly meet not impact to slightly impact and
appear with none significant difference in comparing between results from previous years except
Backrea Station. Generally, Backprea is one station that always found with low index score for
both WQIal and WQIhi but remarkably that is appear with slightly increase in recently year
(2008).
- Water Quality Index for Human Health (WQIhi)
The Water Quality Indices for Human Impact (WQIhi) are appearing with three classifications:
Class 1: from Stung Treng down to Chroy Changvar (upper part of Phnom Penh) including three
trans boundaries stations are stand at slightly impacted Class 2: Neak Loung down to Kaorm
Samnor (Mekong downstream) is standing at impacted and Class 3: remaining for Bassac River
are stand for very impacted. Is should be recognize that among four year of data record there are
no any station including tributaries either in Mekong mainstream stations are stand in not impact
class for WQIhi. This result if maybe cause of the increasing of quantity of the discharge from
city with high density population or high intensively farming area or relatively flow of water
through the canals from Mekong and Baasac River (MRCS, 2008).
-----------------------
Page 31 of 39
4.2 Recommendation
- Currently, the median of Nutrients concentration in mainstream or some tributaries are

stay far from alarming (threshold value), but continue monitoring of Nutrients
parameter is should be in place because of those level are likely to be increase especially
during the dry season.
- Agricultural pattern in Cambodia has been widely in using of pesticides and chemical
fertilizers and does not comply with the existing standards. Continue using fertilizer it
cause of threaten to water quality in our country. Intern to control on this issue we
highly request to MRCS for support on analysis of pesticide, heavy metals or some of
the main toxicant substance.
- Water Quality Index calculation is only applies for Mekong mainstream purpose not
being use for tributaries. However, some tributaries station such as Se San, Sekong,
Srepork, Sangkero are play with important sources for Mekong River or Tonle Sap Lake
but those rivers are generally have difference physical condition from Mekong
mainstream. In tern to have with good water quality data assessment, the similar
methodology this index should be establish to use with tributaries station by address
with appropriate indicator or threshold value.
-----------------------
Page 32 of 39
Reference:
- APHA et al.,1998: The Standard Method for Examination of Water and Wastewater 20th
1998 Edition by APHA, AWWA, WEF
- Barry T.Hart (2001), Repot on Transboundary Water Quality Issues in the Mekong River
Basin
- CEDAC (2002), Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture
- Chrin Sokha (2006), the Potential Presser to the Environment in Cambodia, Ministry of
Environment
- CIA (2008. est), the world factbook, Cambodia, update on 22 January, 2009
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/cb.html
- JICA (1999): The Study on Drainage Improvement Flood Control, Japan International
Cooperation Agency, Vol. 2, Municipality of Phnom Penh
- Lim, P. (2008): Functioning of Cheung Ek lake an d floodable plain: environment receiving
Phnom Penh waste water and offering a high productivity purifying capacity, Royal
University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Matlock (2007): Water Profile in Cambodia,
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Water_profile_of_Cambodia
- MoE (2002), Waste Management Program in Cambodia 2002-2006, Department of
Environmental Pollution Control, Ministry of Environment
- MoE (2003): State of Environment Report year 2004, by Ministry of Environment/ National
Capacity Development Project-Danida
- MRCS (2008): An assessment of water quality in the Lower Mekong Basin, MRC Technical
paper No.19, Mekong River Commission, Lao PDR, November 2008
- MoWRAM (2008): Water Quality Data assessment Report_2007, Department of Hydrology
and River Works, Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, March 2008
- Ongley, (2006a): Water Quality guidelines and indices, RTAG, Recommendations for
Mekong Water Quality Assessment, Unpublished Consultant’s Report for the Mekong River
Commission, Vietiance, Lao PDR
- Phyrun (1996): The environmental situation in Cambodia, policy and instructions
- US EPA (2000): A practical guide for materials managers and supply chain managers to
reduce costs and improve environmental performance, Environmental accounting project,
Washington.
- WHO (2003): WHO Guideline, Drinking water quality, Volume 2 &3, health criteria and
other supports information.
- WUP-FIN (2003): Water Ulilization Programme – Modeling of the Flow Regime and Water
Quality of Tonle Sap MRCS/WUP-Fin, November 2004
-----------------------
Page 33 of 39
Annexes:
Annex 1: Example of Surface Water Quality Standard
Indicator Unit Indicator Toxicant Statistic Thailand Vietnam Cambodia
type Class a Class A Public
Water
Arsenic (As) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.01 0.05 0.01
Barium (Ba ) mg/l Element Toxicant max NI 1 NI
Cadmium (Cd) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.05++ 0.01 0.001

0.005+
Chromium (Cr III ) mg/l Element Toxicant max NI 0.1 NI
Chromium (Cr VI ) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.05 0.05 0.05
Cupper (Cu ) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.1 0.1 NI
Fluoride ( F ) mg/l Element Toxicant max NI 1 NI
Lead ( Pb ) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.05 0.05 0.01
Mercury (Hg Total) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.002 0.001 0.0005
Mercury (organic) mg/l Element Toxicant max NI NI 0
Nickel (Ni) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.1 0.1 NI
Selenium mg/l Element Toxicant max NI NI 0.01
Tin (Sn) mg/l Element Toxicant max NI 1 NI

Zinc (Zn) mg/l Element Toxicant max 1 1 NI
Ammonia N (NH3-N) mg/l Element Toxicant max 0.5 0.05 NI
Nitrite (as N ) mg/l Element Toxicant max NI 0.01 NI
1,2 Trichloroethylene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.01
Benzene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.01
Carbon tetrachloride mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.012
Chloroform mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.012
Cyanide (CN) mg/l organic Toxicant max 0.005 0.01 0.000005
Detergents mg/l organic Toxicant max NI 0.5 NI
Hexachloro-benzene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.00003
Hexachlorobutadiene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.0001
Hexachloroetheylene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.00005
Oil and grease mg/l organic Toxicant max NI ND NI
Perchloroethylene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.01
Phenols mg/l organic Toxicant max 0.005 0.001 NI
Polychlorobiphenyl mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0
(PCB)
Tetrachloroethylene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.01
Trichlorobenzene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.0004
Trichloroetheylene mg/l organic Toxicant max NI NI 0.01
Aldrin mg/l pesticide Toxicant max 0.0001 NI 0.000005
alpha BHC mg/l pesticide Toxicant max 0.00002 NI NI
DDT mg/l pesticide Toxicant max 0.001 0.01 0.01
-----------------------
Page 34 of 39
Diedrin mg/l pesticide Toxicant max NI NI 0.00001
Diedrin mg/l pesticide Toxicant max 0.0001 NI 0.00001
Endrin mg/l pesticide Toxicant max 0 NI NI
Heptachior & mg/l pesticide Toxicant max 0.0002 NI NI

Heptachlorepoxide
Isodrin mg/l pesticide Toxicant max NI NI 0.000005
Organochlorine mg/l pesticide Toxicant max 0.05 0.15 NI

Pesticide (Total)
Iron (Fe) mg/l element Treatment max 1
Manganess (Mn) mg/l element Treatment max 1 0.1 NI
pH - env. Treatment in rang 5–9 6–8 6.5 – 8.5

stressor
Suspended Solids mg/l env. Treatment max 20 25 - 100
stressor
BOD5 (20 ˚C) mg/l env. P 80 ≤1.5 <4 1 – 10
stressor
COD mg/l env. max <10
stressor
Dissolved Oxygen mg/l env. P 20 ≥6 ≥6 2 – 7.5
stressor
Temperature ˚C env. in range n'
stressor
Faecal Coliform MPN/100 microbial Microbial P 80 ≤ 1,000
ml
Total Coliform MPN/100 microbial Microbial P 80 ≤ 5,000 5,000 5,000
ml
Nitrate-N (NO3-N) mg/l Nutrient max 5 10
Nitrogen (Tot.) mg/l Nutrient max 0.1 – 0.6+
Phosphorus (Tot.) mg/l Nutrient max 0.005 – 0.05+
Gross alpha Bq/l rad max 0.01 0.1

Radioactivity
Gross beta Bq/l rad max 1 1
Radioactivity
MRC Surface water standard (draft)
NI No Indicator (National Standard does not include this indicator) Thailand and Vietnam
Surface water using for source of domestic water supply with appropriate treatment
Cambodia Water Quality Standard in public water areas public health protection
++
When water hardness is more than 100 mg/l as CaCO3
+
When water hardness not more than 100 mg/l as CaCO3
P Percentile value, this static was only applied in the Thai Standards (P80 = 80% of values)
-----------------------
Page 35 of 39
Annex 2: Standard for interpretation of Water Quality for Irrigation
Potential Irrigation Problem Unit Degree of Restriction on Use
None Slight to Severe
Moderate
Salinity(affects crop water
available)1
ECW ds/m <0.7 0.7 -3.0 >3.0
or TDS
mg/l 2 <450 450-2000 >2000
Infiltration (affects infiltration rate
of water in to the soil. Evaluate
using ECW and SAR together)3
SAR=0-3 and Ecw = >0.7 0.7-0.2 <0.2
= 3.6 = >1.2 1.2-0.3 <0.3
= 6-12 = >1.9 1.9-0.5 <0.5
= 12-20 = >2.9 2.9-1.3 <1.3
=20-40 = >5.0 5.0-2.9 <2.9
Specific Ion Toxicity (affects
sensitive crops)
Sodium4
Surface irrigation SAR <3 3-9 >9
Sprinkler irrigation me/l <3 >3
Chloride4
Surface irrigation me/l <4 4-10 >10
Sprinkler irrigation me/l <3 >3
Boron
Trace Elements mg/l <0.7 0.7-3.0 >3.0
Miscellaneous Effects (affects
susceptible crops)
Nitrogen (NO3-N)5 mg/l <5 5-30 >30
Bicabonate (HCO3) me/l <1.5 1.5-8.5 >8.5
(overhead sprinkling only)
pH Normal range
6.5-8.4
(Sources: Water Quality Standard for Agriculture by R.S Ayers, University of California Davis,
California, USA)
1. Adapted from University of California Committee of Consultants

2. ECw Mean electric conductivity, a measure of the water salinity, Report in deci Siemens
per meter at 25 ºC (dS/m) or in units milliohms per centimetre (mmho/cm). BBoth are
equivalent. TDS means total dissolved solids, reported in milligrams per lite (mg/l).
3. SAR means sodium adsorption ration. SAR is sometimes is reported by the symbol RNa.
At a give SAR, infiltration rate increase as water salinity increase. Evaluate the potential
infiltration problem by SAR as modified by ECw. Adapted from Rhoades 1977, and Oster
and Schroer 1977
4. For surface irrigation, most tree crops and woody plants are sensitive to sodium and
chloride, use the value shown. With overhead sprinkler irrigation and low humidity (<30
percent), Sodium and chloride may bee absorbed through the leaves of sensitive crops.
5. NO3-N means nitrate nitrogen reported in terms of elemental nitrogen (NH4-N and
organic-N should be include when wastewater is being tested)
-----------------------
Page 36 of 39
Annex 3: Laboratory determination needs to evaluate common Irrigation Water Quality
Problems
Water Parameters Symbol Unit Usual range in

irrigation water
Salt Content
Electrical Conductivity ECw dS/m 1 0-3
or
Total Dissolved Solid TDS mg/l 0 - 2000
Cations and Anions
Calcium Ca++ me/l 0 – 20
Magnesium Mg++ me/l 0 – 05
Sodium Na+ me/l me/l 0 – 40
Carbonate CO3- - me/l 0 – 01
Bicabonate HCO3- - me/l 0 – 10
Chloride Cl- me/l 0 – 30
Sulphate SO4- - 0 – 20
Nutrients 2
Nitrate – Nitrogen NO3-N mg/l 0 – 10
Ammonium – Nitrogen NH4-N mg/l 0 – 05
Phosphate – Phosphorus PO4-P mg/l 0 – 02
Potassium K+ mg/l 0 - 02
Miscellaneous
Boron B mg/l 0 – 02
Acid/Basicity pH 1-14 6.0 – 8.5
Sodium absorption ratio 3 SAR (me/l) 1, 2 0 - 15
(Sources: Water Quality Standard for Agriculture by R.S Ayers, University of California Davis,
California, USA)
1
dS/m = deciSiemen / metre in S.I. Unit (equivalent to 1 mmho/cm= 1 millimmho/
centimetre
mg/l = milligrams per litre ~ parts per million (ppm)

me/l = milli equivalent per lire (mg/l ÷ equivalent weight = me/l), in SI unit,
1 me/l = 1 millimol/litre adjusted for electrode charge
2
NO3-N means the laboratory will analyze for NO3 but will report the NO3 in term of
chemically equivalent nitrogen. Similarly, for NH4-N, the laboratory will analyze for
NH4 but will report the NO3 in term of chemically equivalent nitrogen. The total nitrogen
available to the plant will be the sum of the equivalent elemental nitrogen. The same
reporting method is used for phosphorus.
3
SAR is calculating from the Na, Ca and Mg report in me/l.
-----------------------
Page 37 of 39
Annex 4: Statistic Record
Data for the following results were selected according to: Mekong River
TSS COND Alk NO32 NH4N TOTP DO CODMN

PH
mg/l ms/m meq/l meq/l meq/l meq/l meq/l meq/l
N of cases
288 288 288 288 288 286 288 281 287
Minimum
5.680 0.666 6.570 0.497 0.001 0.000 0.001 4.183 0.050
Maximum
8.410 590.000 24.700 1.698 0.600 0.408 0.567 9.825 9.809
Median
7.135 44.500 15.365 1.077 0.149 0.029 0.060 7.271 1.831
Standard Dev
0.482 75.541 4.170 0.277 0.124 0.057 0.090 0.899 2.030
Data for the following results were selected according to: Bassac River

PH
N of cases 144
144 144 144 144 144 144 144 144
Minimum 6.290
2.000 7.140 0.503 0.008 0.001 0.008 4.557 0.121
Maximum 8.580
284.000 19.800 1.260 2.433 0.710 0.412 9.259 11.544
Median 7.015
32.000 10.465 0.767 0.131 0.054 0.087 6.679 2.397
Standard
0.358
Dev 71.570 2.768 0.158 0.283 0.106 0.080 0.923 2.470
-----------------------
Page 38 of 39
Data for the following results were selected according to: Tonle Sap River
TSS COND Alk NO32 NH4N TOTP DO

PH CODMN meq/l
mg/l ms/m meq/l meq/l meq/l meq/l meq/l
N of cases 143 144

144 144 144 144 144 144 144
2.43
Minimum 0.119
5.920 1.000 5.940 0.352 0.000 0.000 0.008 3
9.03 12.91
Maximum
7.840 662.000 20.000 1.476 2.834 0.489 0.987 4 2
6.27
Median 2.655
6.980 40.167 9.155 0.654 0.127 0.048 0.083 7
1.35
Standard Dev 2.554
0.361 98.176 2.406 0.169 0.385 0.096 0.138 9
Data for the following results were selected according to: Tonle Sap Lake

PH
N of cases
96 96 96 96 96 96 96 94 95
Minimum
5.320 3.000 5.770 0.175 0.001 0.001 0.013 2.730 0.258
Maximum
8.040 1720.000 21.200 1.651 0.919 0.831 1.900 9.819 11.144
Median
6.980 57.500 9.640 0.650 0.130 0.064 0.117 6.221 4.240
Standard Dev
0.441 290.458 2.786 0.247 0.212 0.117 0.312 1.577 2.341
-----------------------
Page 39 of 39
Mekong River Commission / Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology
Water Quality Monitoring Network in Cambodia
ANNUAL REPORT ON
WATER QUALITY DATA ASSESSMENT IN 2008
Department of Hydrology and River Works

Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology
February 2009
Published in Phnom Penh, Cambodia by Department of Hydrology and River Works Ministry
of Water Resources and Meteorology
Address : National No: 2, Sangkate Chak Angre Krom, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Fax/Tel : (855) 23 425 645
Following Contract number: # 024_2008

Project code 1.1/78/07/SWE/E, Budget Line 21-00-00
Sign between:
- Environmental Division, Mekong River Commission
- Cambodia National Mekong Committee, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Cite this document as:
MoWRAM (2009): Annual Report on Water Quality Data Assessment in 2008
Prepare by : Ms. Nhim Sophea

Deputy Director of Department of Hydrology and River Works , MoWRAM
Editor : Mr. Mao Hak

Deputy Director General of Technical Affair of MoWRAM
and Director of Department of Hydrology and River Works, MoWRAM
List of table
Table 1: A summary of available statistics relating to Cambodia's water resources

Table 2: Sampling Location and code
Table 3: List of parameter and Method
Table 4: Classification system for protection of aquatic life
Table 5: Classification system for human impact on water quality
Table 6: Classification system for agriculture use
Table 7: The median value of three Water Quality Indices for Main River and Tributary
stations
List of figure
Figure A: Map of Water Quality Monitoring Network in Cambodia

Figure 1: the average concentration of total suspended solid at up and down stream of
Mekong river, Bassac, Tonle Sap and Tonle Sap Lake
Figure 2: the median of EC at up and downstream of Mekong River, Bassac, and Tonle
Sap
Figure 3: The median of pH value at monthly observation and pH variation from Mekong
down to Bassac and Tonle Sap
Figure 4: The Alkalinity variation in mg/l CaCO3 from Mekong down to Bassac and
Tonle Sap
Figure 5: The variation of NO3-N in mg/l and monthly variation from Mekong down to
Bassac and Tonle Sap.
Figure 6: The comparison of Ammonium concentration between wet and dry season for
Mekong down to Bassac and Tonle Sap
Figure 7: The variation of Total_P in mg/l of Mekong down to Bassac and Tonle Sap
Figure 8: The variation of DO and COD in mg/l and monthly observation of variation
from Mekong down to Bassac and Tonle Sap
Figure 9: WQIs trends for mainstream station that list from Mekong (at Stung Treng)
down to Bassac River and comparison of the trends for previous years
Figure 10: WQIs trends for mainstream station that list for Tributaries station
List Appendix
Appendix 1: Example of Surface Water Quality Standard

Appendix 2: Standard for interpretation of Water Quality for Irrigation
Appendix 3: Laboratory determination needs to evaluate common Irrigation Water Quality
Problem
Appendix 4: Statistic Record
i
Acronyms and abbreviation
BDP - Basin Development Plan of MRC

CNMC - Cambodia National Mekong Committee
DANIDA - Danish International Development Agency
DHRW - Department of Hydrology and River Works
MoE - Ministry of Environment of Cambodia
MoWRAM - Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology of Cambodia
MRC - Mekong River Commission
MRCS - Mekong River Commission Secretariat
WQAL - Water Quality Analysis Laboratory
WQMN - Water Quality Monitoring Networks
WUP - Water Utilization Programme
DO - Dissolved Oxygen
COD - Chemical Oxygen Demand
Tot-P - Total Phosphorus
NH4-N - Ammonium Nitrogen
NO3-N - Nitrate Nitrogen
Tot-P - Total Phosphorus
WQIs - Water Quality Indices
WQIal - Water Quality Index for aquatic life
WQIhi - Water Quality Index for human impact
WQIag - Water Quality Index for agriculture
NWPS - Natural Wastewater Purification System
ii

Annual Report On WQMN in 2008

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Annual Report On WQMN in 2008

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Table Content

II Water quality issue...................................................................................................................7

III Water Quality Monitoring Network in Cambodia ...................................................................9

V Result and discussion.............................................................................................................18

VI Conclusion and Recommendation .........................................................................................30

- Water Quality Index for protect aquatic life (WQIal)

Individual Trend of main indicators:

Water Quality Index Assessment:

Table1: A summary of available statistics relating to Cambodia's water resources

Source: MoWRAM (2003)

1) Population and Wastewater

- 86% of solid materials flowing through the humid zone

Water Quality Monitoring Network at Lower Mekong Basin is a complementary to the

The first sampled water is use to clean the

The total sampling volume in the each time is dividing as:

Filed record, preservation, handing and shipping

 Temperature was measure on side by thermometer

 DO have been persevered by using of

 CODMn has been preserved by 2 ml of

Station Station River/ Station

Table 3: List of parameter and Method

 Conductivity indicator of salinity increase

- Water Quality Index for protect aquatic life (WQIal)

The calculation of WQIs is following by equation as below:

Parameter Symbol Threshold Value Unit Weight Factor

pH value pH 6.5 -8.5 - 2

Conductivity EC < 70 mS/m 2

Ammonia NH3-N 0.05 mg/L 2

Dissolved oxygen DO >5 mg/L 2

Nitrite&Nitrate-N NO2&3- N < 0.7 mg/L 1

Total Phosphorous-P Total-P < 0.13 mg/L 1

Table 4: Classification system for protection of aquatic life

Scale Class Comment

10- Not impact Requires that all four parameters must be

9-9.5 Slightly impacted Requires that all four parameters must be

7-9 Impacted One or more of the four primary parameters will

<7 Very impacted Many of the primary parameters will not be

Human Impact on Water Quality (WIhi):

Parameters and threshold values used for WQIhi

Parameter Factor Symbol Threshold value Unit Weight

Dissolved oxygen DO ≥6 mg/L 1

Ammonium NH4-N < 0.05 mg/L 1

Chemical Oxygen Demand COD <4 mg/L 1

10-9.5 Not impact

8.5-9.5 Slightly impacted

<7 Very impacted

Water Quality Index for Agriculture Use WQIag:

Agriculture use Good quality Fair quality Poor quality

Irrigation Water - general < 70 70 - 300 > 300

Livestock and poultry < 500 500 - 800 > 800

Table 6: Classification system for agriculture use

10-9.5 Not impact

9.5-7 Slightly to moderately impacted

<7 Severe Impacted

1) The trend of individual parameters

Total Suspended Solid (TSS, mg/l)

Potential Hydrogen (pH)

Alkalinity (Alk.,mg/l as CaCO3)

- Ammonium (NH4-N, mg/l)

- Total Phosphorus (Total-P)

0.00 g tie am va ng nor ao el m P m ng

- Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD, mg/l)

- The water quality indices for aquatic life (WQIal)

Temperature was measure on side by thermometer

DO have been persevered by using of

CODMn has been preserved by 2 ml of

Conductivity indicator of salinity increase