Households supplied by the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) are again being advised to stockpile water as a new round of saltwater intrusion threatens to disrupt tap water production in the city.
Water salinity at the Samlae water production facility in Pathum Thani is predicted to peak between March 3 and 10 as low water levels in the Chao Phraya River lead to increased tidal inflow from the sea, MWA communications director Thassanee Ritsarntiwong said on Thursday.
It followed a similar warning issued last Saturday as salinity levels rose this week.
Saltwater intrusion is expected to hit harder than usual this year due to the early onset of the dry season in many areas. Upstream dams will release more water to help keep the saltwater surge at bay.
Fresh water from adjacent canals will also be diverted to fight the intrusion.
The MWA office in Pathum Thani has been monitoring salinity levels in the river hourly. If the water becomes too salty, the water production facility will stop drawing from the river and distribute water from its reserve supply, Ms Thassanee said.
She said residents served by the MWA should stock up on tap water for use during high tides when saltwater advances deep into the Chao Phraya.
Meanwhile, 2,667 villages in 59 districts of 15 provinces have been declared drought disaster zones in need of urgent help, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Promlert said yesterday.
The 15 provinces are Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phrae and Tak in the North; Buri Ram, Maha Sarakham, Khon Kaen and Si Sa Ket in the Northeast; Sing Buri, Saraburi and Chai Nat in the Central Plains; Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi and Prachin Buri in the East; and Trang in the South.
Mr Chatchai said his department had prepared equipment including water trucks and pumps to be dispatched to drought-hit areas.
He said major reservoirs in the country are now holding a total of 45 billion cubic metres of water, or 64% of their total capacity. Of that, less than half — or 21.4 billion cubic metres — is available for distribution.