Old shrine surfaces as Bang Wad reservoir hits bottom

[rooster59]

Old shrine surfaces as Bang Wad reservoir hits bottom

By The Phuket News

 

The water level at Bang Wad reservoir has falled so low that the original Toh Tha Mee Shrine has become visbile again. Photo; via PR Dept

 

PHUKET: Heavy isolated showers this week have helped restore some water back into Phuket’s main reservoirs, but more is needed, Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Chief Graisorn Mahamad has told The Phuket News.

 

As of Mar 24, Bang Wad reservoir, the island’s main water source, contained just 850,000 cubic metres of water – or 8.3% of its full capacity. At that time, the water in the reservoir was expected to last just 17 days. (See story here.)

 

Now the reservoir contains just 80,000m³ of water, Mr Graisorn has confirmed.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/old-shrine-surfaces-as-bang-wad-reservoir-hits-bottom-75749.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-04-19

 

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[PatOngo]

Old shrine surfaces as Bang Wad reservoir hits bottom

Opportune time to organise a tamboon, make some merit and pray for rain! ????

[Farmerkev]

Heres a thought maybe too obvious though. Phuket is next to the sea why not get a reverse osmosis plant and make potable water when we put all 4 on at my work (onboard a ship) we produce 280m3 per hour. Large plants are available that can do 350,000m3 plus per day, sure they are exspensive (maybe full watch collection could cover cost) and needs competent engineer (work permit required)to maintain but it would help solve water issue

[Old Croc]

1 hour ago, Farmerkev said:

Heres a thought maybe too obvious though. Phuket is next to the sea why not get a reverse osmosis plant and make potable water when we put all 4 on at my work (onboard a ship) we produce 280m3 per hour. Large plants are available that can do 350,000m3 plus per day, sure they are exspensive (maybe full watch collection could cover cost) and needs competent engineer (work permit required)to maintain but it would help solve water issue

Large scale plants to convert seawater are expensive to build and run and produce huge amounts of waste products (brine with a very high salt content) which would be dangerous to the environment when put back in the sea. 

The solutions to Phuket's water supply problems are not that difficult. It has a high rainfall, but currently most water runs off into the sea. There are few dams and they are built quite shallow.

Additionally there is huge amounts of water available less than 90kms to the north. All that is required is a local government with the power and desire to fix things rather than just talk about it, and a national government that will spend money on infrastructure on the Island instead of just collecting large amounts of revenue from there. 

With tourists gone for the foreseeable future now would be a good time to do a Boracay like makeover.

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2020 by Old Croc

[Soupdragon]

I heard that the cost of building a pipeline off island was too high. Not because building the pipeline itself costs too much but because the people that own the land want prime real estate prices for scrubland to allow the pipeline to cross their land.

[Old Croc]

2 minutes ago, Soupdragon said:

I heard that the cost of building a pipeline off island was too high. Not because building the pipeline itself costs too much but because the people that own the land want prime real estate prices for scrubland to allow the pipeline to cross their land.

Yes, local power brokers buy up land whenever there is a proposal for large scale projects and try to sell it back to the government at exorbitant prices. They are asking something like 22mil per rai for land where the airport expressway is proposed.

It's a major reason few of these plans proceed past the lucrative assessment stage

[steelepulse]

9 minutes ago, Soupdragon said:

I heard that the cost of building a pipeline off island was too high. Not because building the pipeline itself costs too much but because the people that own the land want prime real estate prices for scrubland to allow the pipeline to cross their land.

Too bad no such thing as eminent domain can happen.

 

BTW, there was a desal plant built, seems it was another cash grab as are most projects, statues and signs here.

Edited April 19, 2020 by steelepulse

[hansgruber]

Only one solution. Build more villas and condos. 

[marko kok prong]

Fascinating what you often see when resevoirs like this dry up.

[Matzzon]

This is something that always makes me start thinking. They know that there is a shrine standing below water. Why in the world do they not put it on the side on the pond?

Yeah, I know. The water is blessed and the pond is divine with a shrine in it, but it could be that by just standing beside too, and people could make merit at the same time.

[Matzzon]

5 hours ago, Farmerkev said:

and needs competent engineer (work permit required)to maintain

So, you are clearly stating that there is not a Thai person in the country that could maintain this?

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, Old Croc said:

All that is required is a local government with the power and desire to fix things rather than just talk about it, and a national government that will spend money on infrastructure on the Island instead of just collecting large amounts of revenue from there. 

Now that one of the main obstacles has been removed there might be a glimmer of hope.. a very small glimmer.

[Tony125]

7 hours ago, Soupdragon said:

I heard that the cost of building a pipeline off island was too high. Not because building the pipeline itself costs too much but because the people that own the land want prime real estate prices for scrubland to allow the pipeline to cross their land.

Hmmm maybe they (GOV) can do what State Gov did in Massachusetts ( USA) back in the day. They took the land they wanted in neighborhoods by "eminent domain"  Gov makes what they consider a fair offer, if you don't acept the case goes to court and a judge will set the price. Either way the Gov takes the land.

Edited April 19, 2020 by Tony125

[OneeyedJohn]

That would be harsh, can't imagine this "government" behaving like that.

[Rimmer]

Off topic none sense removed

[Almer]

10 hours ago, Soupdragon said:

I heard that the cost of building a pipeline off island was too high. Not because building the pipeline itself costs too much but because the people that own the land want prime real estate prices for scrubland to allow the pipeline to cross their land.

Its called a government order 

[pattayadgw]

I got a bright idea!! ?? build a nuclear power station in the middle of the island and then a massive desalination plant... that would sort the water problems out for good... NOT!! :)))

[Reigntax]

On 4/19/2020 at 10:32 AM, Farmerkev said:

Heres a thought maybe too obvious though. Phuket is next to the sea why not get a reverse osmosis plant and make potable water when we put all 4 on at my work (onboard a ship) we produce 280m3 per hour. Large plants are available that can do 350,000m3 plus per day, sure they are exspensive (maybe full watch collection could cover cost) and needs competent engineer (work permit required)to maintain but it would help solve water issue

Dont need it. Just need to buy more airccaft for the rain making squad and the problem is solved.