The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will seek cabinet approval Tuesday to temporarily lift the ban on using underground water in the capital and its vicinity in preparation to fight severe drought next year.
The drought situation is likely to get worse next year as the amount of rainfall is 10% below average, said Suphot Tovichakchaikul, the ministry's spokesman and chief of the Department of Water Resources.
Currently, less than 5,000 million cubic metres is stored in the main dams along the Chao Phraya River basin.
The water supply will last until September, he said, adding the plan to use underground water is a backup plan.
Next month, the department will ask the cabinet to allow temporary use of underground water for daily consumption in case there is not enough raw water for waterworks.
The cabinet earlier this year ordered an end to underground water consumption due to soil erosion in the capital. At that time, over 1.2 million cubic metres of underground water was being used per day.
If the request is approved, the ministry expects to use around 500,000 cubic metres per day for consumption, saying it won't cause soil erosion.
Regarding the drought next year, the department expects at least 40 provinces, mainly in the North, Northeastern, and Central regions to face a water shortage. Provinces in the East and South are unlikely to face the same problem as water levels in their dams are higher.
In response to the drought, the department plans to support the "One Village, One Water Supply" project to allow each village to have its own water source for agriculture and consumption between December and May.
At least 4,100 villages will have a small water source to feed people in the community. A pond is being built in each village as a water source for the future.
Mr Suphot added the government has a long-term plan to divert water from both local sources and rivers from neighbouring countries to keep in the major dams including Bhumibol, Sirikit, Ubonrat, and Lampao dams, and the Nong Han-Kumpavapee water source.