PHNOM PENH, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Regular water quality monitoring along the Mekong River showed that conditions remained within a good range during the first quarter of 2026, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment on Friday.
Khvay Atitya, who is also an undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Environment, said the ministry had conducted monthly water quality assessments at 11 monitoring stations located along the Mekong River across Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Kandal, Phnom Penh and Prey Veng provinces.
He said the assessments focused on 12 key parameters used to evaluate water quality, including pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), and heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg).
"According to results from January through March 2026, the Mekong River's water quality was consistently recorded at a good level across monitored locations," Atitya said in a news release.
"The findings indicate that the river continues to meet national standards for surface water quality," he added.
Regular monitoring plays a critical role in ensuring early detection of potential pollution and supports evidence-based management of water resources, the spokesperson said, adding that detailed data and technical interpretations have been compiled for future reference.
He said the ministry is committed to maintaining water quality through continued surveillance, enforcement and cooperation with all relevant institutions. ■
