Other Water Bodies

Generally, there is a lack on water environment study on wetlands and canals in Lao PDR. However, it is observed that recently most of the big cities of the country have been enlarged due to the increasing number of rural people immigrate to the cities, couple with a lack of sufficient drainage system, the volume of domestic wastewater has been increased which drained to artificial and natural canals and to the low elevated areas such as wetlands without pre-treatment. As a result, some water bodies in and nearby cities have been polluted.

In urban areas, pollutants from roads, commercial and industrial areas and private properties wash into drains and watercourses. Litter, dust and dirt, oil and grease, particles of rubber compounds from tires, particles of metal, glass and plastic from vehicles and lead are common pollutants. Residential properties and open spaces contribute sediments and nutrients. Urban drains also act as secondary sewers carrying industrial discharges, septic tank seepage and overflows in wet weather.

A recent study on Wastewater Management and Building in Vientiane Capital City Using GIS, supported by UNESCO/KEIZO OBUCHI Research Fellowships Programme – 2004, reported that “as the economy and communication networks develop, the number of people in urban area of Vientiane Capital City begins to grow more rapidly continue to improve urban condition. The lack of insufficient drainage system, Vientiane does not have sewerage systems and on-site sewerage disposal or septic tanks are often poorly designed. Further, contributing to the problems in urban area with are now stagnant wastewater from households and some small industrial and other sector without treated with open road-side drains, flow directly into marsh or natural channels such a system will continue to have a detrimental impact on the public health by mixing sewerage in the storm drainage system”.