Progress of Enhancement of Industrial
Wastewater Management in Lao P.D.R.

Mr. Sengkeo TASAKETH

Pollution Control Department
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Vientiane Capital, January 25, 2016

Outline of Presentation
I.

Background

Effect of the enhancement
III. Consideration and future challenge
IV. ConclusionII.

I. Background
1. Policy Instruments for Industry Developed : Lao PDR developed the Special and Specific Economic

Zones (SEZ) for Developers and investors can invest in all
sectors in the SEZ. Government of Lao PDR promotion theIndustry sector in SEZ. Currently, the number of industrial
factories are 10, 413 factories :1)
2)
3)

4)
5)
6)
7)

Food and beverage 14;
Tabacco 7;
Textile and garments 281;
Cement factory 9;
Construction mate rials 502;
Car and motorcycle assemble 25;
Plastics 10; and Others 9565 not included the household businessI. Background (cont)2. Legislation wastewater control :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Industry Processing Law, 2013
Environment Protection Law, 2012
Waste from Industry Processing Management Regulation; 2012
Environment Impact Assessment Decree; 2010 and EIA
instruction 2014;
Industry Wastewater Discharge Regulation 2005; andNational Environmental Standard, 2009.

I. Background (cont)3. Institutional Responsibility:
1.Project proponents have to submit the industrial proposal toMinistry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) for issue theindustries operating permit. MOIC is monitoring for wastewater
management and treatment process before discharge to natureenvironment;
2. Project proponents have to submit Environmental Management
and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) to the Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(MONRE);
3. There are three levels of government in Lao PDR (Ministry atNational, Department at Province and Office at District levels).

II. Effect of the enhancementFor example: Changes of violation of treated wastewater quality

 Refer to the information from factory get the environment compliance permit

report form 2011 – 2015 requires all factories should have wastewater
treatment plant before discharges into natural environment as follow:
 Wastewater Treatment System include Best Available Technology (BAT); Promote to reuse wastewater after treatment; Self Monitoring Report (Result of water quality monitoring at the end of pipe);
 Complain monitoring and inspection by MONRE.

 The changes of violation of treatment wastewater quality are increasingalmost more than 85% of factories following to EMMP are meet theenvironmental quality standards.

II. Effect of the enhancement (Cont) Industries Activities on Wastewater Management Conduct

study EIA and provide all information within EMMP: Measures to prevent, minimize, and solve problems, and to restore

environmental conditions which are stipulated in the report on the EIA
throughout the period of construction and operation of the project;
 A plan to avoid and minimize the risks, including a plan to prevent andsolve any accident or emergency which may arise, as well as allocation ofsufficient budget to implement the plans; A schedule and a budget for implementation of the environmental

management and monitoring plan, including financial mechanism andbudget available for each activity.

III. Consideration and future challenge
The Issued and Challenge for Industry Wastewater Management
1. Policy and legislation:


Lack of National Planning Policy Framework, Monitoring and Enforcement;

Lack of specific Law and Regulation to control of waster pollution control and

Lack of criminal laws for pollution control.

2. Institutional Framework:
The absence of power leads to serious lack of compliance and major pollution issues;Lack of technical skills and inadequate resources to support monitoring and enforcement;

Lack of cooperation and coordination of pollution control among the Center , Local government andagencies concern.

3. Financial supportLack of financial collection charges of pollutants released into the environment is still not able toperform as no specific legislation in force; and National government’s annual budget is not sufficient.

IV. Conclusion
To solved the problem should be consider:
1. Policy and Legislation:
 Develop the National Pollution Control Strategic and Mission shot term and long term to provide

specific for water pollution control policy framework; Improve and revise the National Environmental Standards to upgrade some parameters in ambient andemission/effluent; Develop the Pollution Control Regulation and Law to prevention and control water pollution.

2. Institutional Framework: To improve and clear the MONRE’s mandate to carry out the Industry Wastewater Management withthe adequate technical staffs, expertise, equipment and financial support mechanisms;
 Institution Strengthening and Capacity Building for MONRE, DONRE and NREO and line agencies
concern for Complying and enforcing environmental law.

3. Cooperation Mechanism: MONRE: should be coordination; oversight of environmental affairs and line agencies concern; and MOIC: should be Management of industrial processing for wastewater discharge.

Thank You for Your Listening
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