United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories - Joint Wastewater Treatment Plants and Tanneries in Bangkok

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Joint Wastewater Treatment Plants and Tanneries in Bangkok

Location Bangkok, Thailand.

Responsible Organization(s) Tanneries Cooperative.

Description A group of 80 tanneries in Bangkok jointly set up their own wastewater treatment plant to reduce the environmental hazards of chromium-filled wastewater. The plant can treat 2,500 cubic meters of wastewater per day.
Wastewater from the tanneries is piped into five large cement ponds for the primary sedimentation period. It then flows into the next three ponds where oxygen is added through aeration. The aerated water is pumped into three circular tanks for secondary sedimentation and then it flows into a large pond before being released into the underground pipe system connected to a public canal that flows directly into the Gulf of Thailand. The dry toxic waste and sludge left in the tanks, totaling ten tons a month, is pumped out, made into dry cubes and sent to the Samae Dam Hazardous Waste treatment plan run by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Energy, Thailand.

Issues addressed Pollution by wastewater from small- and medium-scale industries.
Hazardous waste management.

Objectives To reduce environmental hazards of chromium-filled wastewater from tannery industry

Results achieved Reduction of industrial wastes and pollution and safe management;
Disposal of hazardous waste.

Lessons learned The value of cooperative action in dealing with common pollution hazard.
Uniform rate for water treatment is incorporated into operating costs with no sacrifice of competitive edge between individual tanneries.

Financing The Tannery cooperative charges each tannery a wastewater treatment fee, calculated from the weight of the raw hides brought in by each tannery, approx. US$20 per tonne. Additional donations are requested for new projects

Contact ESCAP Environment Section, Environment and Natural Resources Management Division
UN Building Rajdamnern Avenue Bangkok 10200
Fax: (66 2) 288-1000; 61 1007; 1108; 1000

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Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Joint Wastewater Treatment Plants and Tanneries in Bangkok
	Location	Bangkok, Thailand.
	Responsible Organization(s)	Tanneries Cooperative.
	Description	A group of 80 tanneries in Bangkok jointly set up their own wastewater treatment plant to reduce the environmental hazards of chromium-filled wastewater. The plant can treat 2,500 cubic meters of wastewater per day. Wastewater from the tanneries is piped into five large cement ponds for the primary sedimentation period. It then flows into the next three ponds where oxygen is added through aeration. The aerated water is pumped into three circular tanks for secondary sedimentation and then it flows into a large pond before being released into the underground pipe system connected to a public canal that flows directly into the Gulf of Thailand. The dry toxic waste and sludge left in the tanks, totaling ten tons a month, is pumped out, made into dry cubes and sent to the Samae Dam Hazardous Waste treatment plan run by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Energy, Thailand.
	Issues addressed	Pollution by wastewater from small- and medium-scale industries. Hazardous waste management.
	Objectives	To reduce environmental hazards of chromium-filled wastewater from tannery industry
	Results achieved	Reduction of industrial wastes and pollution and safe management; Disposal of hazardous waste.
	Lessons learned	The value of cooperative action in dealing with common pollution hazard. Uniform rate for water treatment is incorporated into operating costs with no sacrifice of competitive edge between individual tanneries.
	Financing	The Tannery cooperative charges each tannery a wastewater treatment fee, calculated from the weight of the raw hides brought in by each tannery, approx. US$20 per tonne. Additional donations are requested for new projects
	Contact	ESCAP Environment Section, Environment and Natural Resources Management Division UN Building Rajdamnern Avenue Bangkok 10200 Fax: (66 2) 288-1000; 61 1007; 1108; 1000