The Department of Water Resources threw its support behind the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation's proposal yesterday to develop water sources in the Sakae Krang River basin instead of the Mae Wong dam project in Nakhon Sawan province.
Jatuporn Buruspat, chief of the department, said he had invited Sasin Chalermlarp, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, to discuss plans to develop water sources in the Sakae Krang River basin.
The Department of Water Resources is responsible for taking care of the nation's natural water sources.
The department set up a plan to spend 514 million baht to implement 48 projects between 2013 and 2015 to boost water storage capacity in rivers and water sources in the Sakae Krang River basin by 17.14 million cubic metres.
The area covers 3,951 rai and the additional water volume will benefit 24,696 families.
The investment plan includes a project to improve two natural reservoirs in the province, which are the main sources of tap water in the area.
The two reservoirs are Bueng Lom in Lat Yao district, which has a storage capacity of 57.98 million cubic metres, and Nong Nam Song in Phayuha Khiri district, which has a capacity of 20 million cubic metres.
Both the reservoirs have recently seen water levels fall because of a high amount of sediment.
"We want to have some recommendations from Mr Sasin who works at the site. We hope that our close cooperation will benefit the local people who are now suffering from a water shortage," he said.
The department will send officials to survey the area before starting work to improve the natural water sources.
He also insisted the department's work will not interfere with that of the Department of Royal Irrigation which is pushing for the construction of the Mae Wong dam project.
The Sueb Nakasathien Foundation is an advocate of investment in community reservoirs to deal with the ongoing water shortage problem in Lat Yao district rather than the construction of the Mae Wong dam.
The foundation said if enough reservoirs are constructed to cover only 5% of the land area under the Sakae Krang River basin, the water volume obtained from these small scale water projects will be as much as 258 million cubic metres, which is equal to the planned capacity of Mae Wong dam.