Phuket Residents Warned Of Water Shortage

[george]

Phuket residents warned of water shortage

PHUKET: -- Local authorities in the drought-threatened resort town of Phuket have appealed to residents to cut down on their water consumption, saying at present usage rates there is only enough water to last until May.

Provincial irrigation project head Watchara Apornsiri said the city only had enough supply for two and a half more months unless there is more rain.

''We have access to some 5.5 million cubic meters of water, but the city's consumption is nearly two million cubic meters a month. At that rate, we only have enough water until May,'' the official said.

''To prevent a water shortage, the city water authorities need to change their plans, to draw in water from other resources and reservoirs,'' he said.

The city has some 1.2 million cubic meters of water supply in private reservoirs, but that is only one month's supply.

''To be on the safe side, everyone must help by using less water,'' he said.

Mr Watchara blamed the looming water shortage on last year's poor rainy season. He said the city received only 2,222 millilitres of rain last year.

''We also predict even less rainfall this year with the rainy season likely to arrive later than April,'' he said.

To solve the problem in the long run, the city authorities have commissioned private companies to construct two new reservoirs. One of the reservoirs would have a capacity of 7.2 million cubic meters.

''Construction is expected to begin in April, but won't be complete for two years,'' Mr Watchara said.

--TNA 2005-03-02

[RDN]

My house is supplied from a "deep well", but when I turn on my taps, the water just trickles out. I think I have the answer - buy a bigger pump

[HumbleFlyer]

Might I suggest an elevated tank to which you pump when the guage tells you its low. I have a house in a rural part of N. California where the water is pumped to the tank and the tank provide adequate pressure. I bought one of those Thai water heaters that sits on the wall, had it converted to 110 V. and have great hto water at full blast!

[RDN]

Might I suggest an elevated tank to which you pump when the gauge tells you its low.  I have a house in a rural part of N. California where the water is pumped to the tank and the tank provide adequate pressure.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I owned the house, that's exactly what I would do. I'm currently looking for a new house (with water tank)...

[george]

Update:

Drought set to cover 70 provinces

BANGKOK: -- Thailand was warned of an extensive and protracted drought today when the director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said that drought could cover 70 of the nation's 76 provinces this year.

Mr. Sunthorn Riewluang said that the drought had already affected over 9.2 million people in 63 provinces, 17 of them in the northern region, 19 in the Northeast, eight in the East and eight in the South.

More than 13 million rai of agricultural land has sustained drought damage, with an estimated loss to farmers of over Bt7.3 million, with the Northeast facing the worst drought conditions.

The Department for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has already spent over Bt784 million on drought relief this year, but expects the situation to worsen between March and May to encompass 70 provinces.

Parts of the nation are said to be experiencing the worst drought conditions in four decades.

--TNA 2005-03-05

[RDN]

It rained in Phuket today