The national committee on water resources management has ordered state agencies to cut water usage by 10% as part of a bid to tackle the drought crisis.
The newly-established panel, chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, held its first meeting Wednesay at Government House with representatives from relevant agencies to discuss the country's water management plan.
Gen Prayut said after the meeting the government wished to allocate water to support all parties and sectors but the amount of water left in dams is not enough to do so.
As a result, a water-saving programme is needed, he said.
"All parties must save water, especially state agencies for which I want to see their water use reduced by 10%. At least, this will raise awareness in all parts of society to work together in water conservation," he said.
He stressed that the government is going to explore ways of developing more water storage in the country and conduct a feasibility study for diverting water from boundary and international rivers.
Natural Resources and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Kasemsun Chinavaso said the ministry will send letters to all state agencies conveying the committee's resolution and call on them to devise a plan to reduce water usage.
Each state agency will be required to submit reports on water use reduction to the prime minister for consideration every month.
Department of Water Resources chief Jatuporn Buruspat, who is the committee's secretary, said the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority reported that 49% of its tap water is distributed to households, 32% to the business and industrial sector and 19% to state agencies.
As a result, Gen Prayut pointed out that state agencies should act as an example to other groups by reducing water consumption by 10%.
He said the committee also instructed the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority and the Royal Irrigation Department to study how to divert water from reservoirs and rivers in the western provinces to Bangkok to support tap water production.
The Royal Irrigation Department has been ordered to study if "dead water" in the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams can be used to ease the problem, he said.
Dead water normally cannot be used but must be kept to preserve the condition of the dam. The combined dead water in the two dams has reached 7,500 million cubic metres.
Hydro And Agro Informatics Institute chief Royol Chitradon said the prime minister also gave a one-month deadline to finish a study on finding sources of water for next year's dry season.
"A clearer picture will be seen at the end of September," Mr Royol said.
