Water

[Jun]

The situation could soon be made worse by the threat of water shortages, caused by lack of rainfall, and also by the prospect of more passengers arriving at U-tapao airport near Pattaya

Could someone enlighten me on the water supply situation ?

Why are there trucks moving water into Pattaya ? Pipes are far more efficient.

There seems to be plenty of investment pouring concrete for roads & railways.
Where's the corresponding investment in reservoirs, canals & pipelines to supply water ?

[Gaybutton]

Could someone enlighten me on the water supply situation ?

So far there are no shortages that I know of and none reported. No statements or warnings issued by the provincial water department. No rumors of shortages, rationing, or anything else.

That is so far. Whether it will stay that way remains to be seen.

I've noticed a few water trucks around town, but I have no idea where they're taking the water other than to a few areas where broken pipes that have not been repaired for ages have deprived locals of running water. But that has been the case for a couple years already.

[Jun]

I was more interested in the medium and long term picture.

Why even have water trucks, when pipelines are a superior way of transporting water ?
Then, why not correctly size reservoirs ?

There is plenty of other infrastructure investment ongoing. Oversized railway stations. Roads & more roads. Airports in places with questionable demand. So why not fix the basics first ?

[KeithAmbrose]

Depends on the brown envelopes available!

[Gaybutton]

why not fix the basics first ?

I think you know the answer to that one as well as I do. It would make sense, something that doesn't seem to happen very often around here . . .

Also, apparently they would rather spend the money tearing up roads and repairing them when they were perfectly good and were not in need of repair in the first place.

[Jun]

I would have thought tea money could be collected off the back of a water construction contract just the same as a road or rail contract. Nevertheless, I suspect you're right, for some reason or other.

As for water trucks, I see them around. I have even seen them delivering water to Jomtien Complex during bar hours. Surely the Complex would have a piped water supply ?

[Gaybutton]

I suspect you're right, for some reason or other.

If I am, then I wouldn't be surprised if by chance it has to do with someone's brother-in-law pocketing a lot of money . . .

[christianpfc]

I guess the general population does not drink tap water (from pipes) and the trucks carry water that is fit for drinking?

(I got into the habit of drinking tap water everywhere in SEAsia and China without ill effect. Only in India I refrained from drinking tap water, but used it for brushing teeth and washing fruit.)

[Gaybutton]

and the trucks carry water that is fit for drinking?

I would stick to bottled water if I were you. I don't drink the tap water and even the locals usually drink bottled water.

The last water I would trust would be the water coming from the trucks. They don't all necessarily get their water from the same source and I have no idea what those sources are. I'll shower with it, do my laundry with it, and clean up after my dog with it, but drink it? No way!

[Gaybutton]

I hope this is right. I was in the Lake Mabprachan, Pattaya's main reservoir, vicinity just a couple days ago and it is way down. Pattaya has had almost no rain at all for the better part of two months - and we're still in the heatwave. Rain is predicted to begin soon, but just how much there will be and if enough of it is over the reservoir - that remains to be seen. But I do find this article encouraging.
_____________________________________________________

Waterworks declares “no water shortage” in Pattaya this year

By Pattaya Mail

May 6, 2024

The head of the Waterworks for Region 1 took center stage on May 5 to announce his plans to tackle Pattaya’s pressing water concerns, reassuring residents of Banglamung and Pattaya that water scarcity would not mar their daily lives this season.

With a strategic plan in hand, Singhchai Inpichai, the Waterworks Regional Director unveiled initiatives aimed at harnessing raw water from multiple reservoirs to meet the demands of the public, industries, and businesses in the region.

He said that, a comprehensive assessment of five primary reservoirs – Nong Klang Dong, Huai Khun Chit, Huai Saphan, Mabprachan, and Chak Nok -revealed an encouraging outlook. These reservoirs collectively boast a capacity of 13 million cubic meters, with current raw water levels satisfying 30% of the tap water requirements in the Banglamung and Pattaya districts. This translates to a substantial 4.5 million cubic meters of water available for consumption and production.

Detailed analyses of individual reservoirs underscored varying water levels, yet all remain above the critical threshold to meet demand. To further bolster reserves, Singhchai underscored ongoing collaborations with the Department of Irrigation, aiming to augment raw water intake at the Bang Phra Reservoir by an additional 12,000 cubic meters daily.

Simultaneously, efforts are underway in conjunction with the Eastern Waterworks Company to ensure seamless and consistent water distribution across Pattaya’s network. Singhchai reiterated that with meticulous planning and concerted efforts, the region remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining a stable and reliable water supply for all.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/waterw ... ear-459881