Rain will save Bangkok from tap-water disruption, waterworks boss says

[webfact]

Rain will save Bangkok from tap-water disruption, waterworks boss says
The Nation, Reuters



BANGKOK: -- METROPOLITAN Waterworks Authority governor Thanasak Watanathana yesterday downplayed the possibility of a tap-water shortage in Bangkok due to the severe drought.

"We believe rain will arrive next month," he said, adding that the MEA had enough water to last a month.

The Waterworks Authority produces about 5.2 million cubic metres of tap-water a day for millions of residential, business and industrial customers.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that if the greater Bangkok area really faced a water shortage, artesian wells would be dug. "That's our contingency plan," the PM said.

Thanasak was quoted earlier as saying Bangkok's tap-water supply could be used up in a month, while the country waits for long-overdue rains to replenish sources depleted by drought and threatened by seawater "creep".

"The risk is serious only if there is no rain. But it is forecast that we will get rainfall next month," he stressed yesterday.

The severity of the drought is now clear in various parts of the Kingdom, with water levels hitting record lows in the major Bhumibol and Sirikit dams.

Farmland is also getting parched, not just in the Northeast but also in the Chao Phraya River basin, traditionally the country's rice basket.

With several watercourses running dry, canal banks and land near canals has subsided, while some nearby roads have cracked, leaving large holes in the surface.

Such incidents are happening even though the government has asked farmers to postpone growing rice in order to conserve water.

Prayut yesterday thanked farmers who had cooperated with this request.

He that said without rain, it was impossible for his government to find adequate water supply, but such a problem was not unique to Thailand.

"Several other countries have also had this problem," he pointed out.

The premier said he had already instructed the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to dig 500 artesian wells in affected provinces in order to help people cope with the ongoing drought.

Salinity problem

Asked about the current situation, Thanasak acknowledged yesterday that MEA facilities that use water from the Chao Phraya were facing problems.

Water volume from upstream was not big enough to keep seawater at bay during high tides, which meant the salinity of the river's water became too high for its waterworks, he explained.

"So, we check and take in water [from the river] only during other times of the day," he said.

But the governor said the MEA was still able to draw water from the Mae Klong River near Bangkok.

Thanasak advised all users to be economical with water at this time, and urged industrial users to stock some water in reserve.

He said that if the water shortage became serious, the MEA would advise people to stock up on drinking water.

As the MEA struggles to keep tap-water services in greater Bangkok going, Thanasak said he believed large-scale rainwater collection should be part of the solution.

"We have floods every year, and we waste that water by letting it flow into the sea. So how can we save some of that water to solve problems that arise during the dry season?" he said.

"They are releasing so much rainwater into the sea. It's more than we have in our entire dam system. Even if we could save 10 per cent of it, that would be a lot."

On Monday, an official said that dams crucial for MEA operations might need to reduce their water-discharge volume even further.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Rain-will-save-Bangkok-from-tap-water-disruption-w-30263985.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-08

[dcutman]

"We believe rain will arrive next month," he said, adding that the MEA had enough water to last a month.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that if the greater Bangkok area really faced a water shortage, artesian wells would be dug. "That's our contingency plan," the PM said.

WOW!

Great plan B.

[shirtless]

Why spend money when you can live in hope

[dagling]

Don`t worry... Goverment will fix... My wife told me so

[clockman]

Rain will come. According to fortune teller? What a way to run a country!

[vogie]

Rain will come. According to fortune teller? What a way to run a country!

It might not be much, but it's the best we've got.

[otherstuff1957]

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

[robblok]

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

No shortages if they severely limit rice farming, why would a whole country suffer for rice farmers who think they are entitled to all the water there is and let other people take the hit.

Of course other large water users should be limited too in the end the normal consumer should not suffer because of people making money of a limited resource that they don't pay for and should benefit everyone.

[sammygood]

is it me or does the tap water recenlty smell more chlorinated than before ?

[TerryLH]

"Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that if the greater Bangkok area really faced a water shortage, artesian wells would be dug. "That's our contingency plan," the PM said."

"'WOW!

Great plan B."

If you have a better plan, now's the time to share it.

[MaxLee]

"We believe rain will arrive next month," he said, adding that the MEA had enough water to last a month.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that if the greater Bangkok area really faced a water shortage, artesian wells would be dug. "That's our contingency plan," the PM said.

WOW!

Great plan B.

Yep just let it flood again. Problem solved....

[Yunla]

This brings back nightmares I used to have of Wincey Willis becoming a modern storm god and ruling the world with her mighty weather powers. I think I've always been afraid of weather presenters and forecasters after that. Now it is all coming true!

[fred Kubasa]

And, if the Rain God says _ _ _ _ you - we all die ? or, plenty of beer around and it is 70 % water filled

with healthy grains.

[fareastguy]

And to think this country believes they are the natural leaders of ASEAN.... god forbid !!!!
ineptness at the highest levels...

[Scouse123]

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

No shortages if they severely limit rice farming, why would a whole country suffer for rice farmers who think they are entitled to all the water there is and let other people take the hit.

Of course other large water users should be limited too in the end the normal consumer should not suffer because of people making money of a limited resource that they don't pay for and should benefit everyone.

Blaming the rice farmers?

Everything from the oil industry, the sugar factories, all major industries even the bottled and draft beer plants use massive amounts of water!

Add back the tourist usages and Bangkok in general. and you only want to blame the rice farmers?

[jackanapes]

so much seawater and not a desalination plant in sight what is it with these people this is something which should be dealt with now asap .

[robblok]

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

No shortages if they severely limit rice farming, why would a whole country suffer for rice farmers who think they are entitled to all the water there is and let other people take the hit.

Of course other large water users should be limited too in the end the normal consumer should not suffer because of people making money of a limited resource that they don't pay for and should benefit everyone.

Blaming the rice farmers?

Everything from the oil industry, the sugar factories, all major industries even the bottled and draft beer plants use massive amounts of water!

Add back the tourist usages and Bangkok in general. and you only want to blame the rice farmers?

I guess you cant read.. just look at what i said at the second paragraph. My point is that ordinary consumers should not suffer because of the others that use too much water. Rice farmers are known to use a lot as rice uses loads of water and the added value is not that high.

But as I said others (the ones you named) should be limited too as long as consumers are not getting screwed over.

Edited July 8, 2015 by robblok

[billd766]

And to think this country believes they are the natural leaders of ASEAN.... god forbid !!!!

ineptness at the highest levels...

I don't know of ANY government leader of ANY country who can make it rain to order.

Of course if you think that you can do better, then step forward and tell Thailand and the world how YOU would do it. Don't forget to publish the costs as well.

[user82374298374]

What is the water situation like in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Pattaya, Udon Thani? I've 70 liters of drinking water on hand, but if showering, running the clothes washer, and washing dishes becomes untenable, I may well evac in-country, if possible.

Thanks!

[billd766]

so much seawater and not a desalination plant in sight what is it with these people this is something which should be dealt with now asap .

Desalination plants are expensive to build and run but you would need a pipeline perhaps 850 km long just to get from BKK to Chiang Rai with all its attendant pumping stations. Then when you have the north to south run in you need to expand from east to west. Of course you would need to do the same thing from BKK to Nong Khai to cover Issan.

I think the cost would be horrendous especially when you include the cost of the filters to filter out all the crap that floats and sinks in the sea water down that way.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

No shortages if they severely limit rice farming, why would a whole country suffer for rice farmers who think they are entitled to all the water there is and let other people take the hit.

Of course other large water users should be limited too in the end the normal consumer should not suffer because of people making money of a limited resource that they don't pay for and should benefit everyone.

Yes let them stop farming. We can import all the food we need and if we pay a little more its okay. "The poor can eat chicken" - your dear leaders words, (see BKK Post 7 July - Atiya's opinion pices for context). I mean only 40% plus of the people are involved in agriculture, as a minority they must listen to the Bangkok middle class and elites. Yes and let them pay for the water they use so that food prices can increase with 30%. As long as the golf courses gets irragted who needs green rice fields. If the poor revolt because there is no food or they cant live on B 300/day anymore, we just send in the army, no problem. Lets also stop te factories that use water and send all the buffalo's back to Esaan.

If you however are interested to solve the problem lets look at implementing water usage restrictions in case it doesn't rain. Lets get people to develop and implement a water system management system to prevent droughts and floods having a negative impact on lives - remember the one that the present government shelved. Lets embark on national program to upgrade the farmers irrigation systems to prevent the current 30% water loss, we can use the B 32 bn from the subs for that. Lets embark on a national programme to fix leaking water pipes which waste even more water.

[Thaidream]

Southern Star hit the nail on the head. So much more can and needs to be done. California is in the throes of severe drought and they are having trouble coping and have to bring water in from other areas of the US at huge costs. The time to plan is not when you are one month away from disaster but to have a long term plan which addresses the needs of your business sector, agriculture and private sector. You don't plan for an earthquake while you are having one. It appears the current answer is to pray for rain- maybe we need to import some witch doctors or rainmakers who dance under the stars in hopes of rain.

[lvr181]

"Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that if the greater Bangkok area really faced a water shortage, artesian wells would be dug. "That's our contingency plan," the PM said." "He that said without rain, it was impossible for his government to find adequate water supply, but such a problem was not unique to Thailand." Seems somewhat a contradictory statement?

And not "unique to Thailand"? Does he mean that it happens to other countries who also may not plan, therefore it is ok for Thailand? Sh$t happens?

About time for some one to do some planning and future proofing to mitigate these ongoing problems BEFORE they happen in the future! LOS, land of band aid solutions?

[Happy Grumpy]

Little wonder that people consider Thailand to be nothing but a joke country.

[elgordo38]

"We believe rain will arrive next month," he said, adding that the MEA had enough water to last a month.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that if the greater Bangkok area really faced a water shortage, artesian wells would be dug. "That's our contingency plan," the PM said.

WOW!

Great plan B.

I hope nobody bought a big bucks (bahts) condo in Bangkok only to find out he cannot flush the toilet in the future. "We believe rain will arrive next month" and yes and pigs will fly. This is about as good as our 10 day forecast here in Chiang Mai. Each day when I look at it it states rain, thunderstorms for the next 10 days. It has read that way for weeks I cannot remember the last good rainfall we have had. Well over the last 6 weeks we have had little rain a few sprinkles. If he is getting his forecast information from the same source we are all in big big trouble.

[elgordo38]

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

No shortages if they severely limit rice farming, why would a whole country suffer for rice farmers who think they are entitled to all the water there is and let other people take the hit.

Of course other large water users should be limited too in the end the normal consumer should not suffer because of people making money of a limited resource that they don't pay for and should benefit everyone.

Blaming the rice farmers?

Everything from the oil industry, the sugar factories, all major industries even the bottled and draft beer plants use massive amounts of water!

Add back the tourist usages and Bangkok in general. and you only want to blame the rice farmers?

Do you think they will install a tourist quota to save water?

[RPCVguy]

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

The graph of average rainfall per month is useful, but each year will vary depending upon weather patterns for the year. The North of Thailand has the mixed advantage/disadvantage of being in latitudes where the "Averages" may hold true, but the swings from year to year will grow more dramatic as to drought or flood.

(2 useful videos - each only 4½ minutes. The first explains rainfall patterns by latitude

while the second one explains how and why there are cycles of ocean patterns called El Nino and La Nina

)

For SE Asia and northern Australia El Nino years mean drier conditions and El Nina years mean wetter conditions. China to the north will more consistently be drier than historical norms, and the region of Southern Thailand/ Malaysia will consistently get more rains. This year the El Nino that is forming looks to be massive, and the average surface temperature across the north Pacific is 0.9ºC warmer than normal. That's a huge area to be that much warmer, so expect many new records in heat to be set this year, and the likelihood that the coming dry season for Northern Thailand to again be a long one.

Comments about relative costs are missing the point, food and water are needed for human life, and the water along with diversity of forests are needed to protect the full range of systems that filter & recycle water, provide "freely" services for our environment. Humans population growth and net consumption have stripped too many hills of forests that once absorbed water during rains and pulled it to the surface during droughts. It would be wise to look at the long term climate patterns expected for the 21st century and begin thinking more about water harvesting using more swales and terraces on hillsides along with reforestation such as has been demonstrated as possible years ago in this joint study report by Australia & Thailand conducted in Chiang Mai

http://www.forru.org/th/intro.php

[Pib]

The Nation in its journalistic excellence is mixing up the water and electric companies for the Bangkok area....the article keeps referring to the Waterworks Authority as MEA...this is incorrect. The waterworks authority is MWA for Metropolitan Waterworks Authority. MEA is Metropolitan Electricity Authority.

[jerojero]

Time to move the water works treatment plants way upstream. With sea levels rising and Bangkok sinking, there will be more and more salt water backing up into the Bangkok river basin.

Edited July 8, 2015 by jerojero

[wabothai]

Thanx boss, I was getting worried.