28 February 2021 marks the 42nd anniversary of Provincial Waterworks Authority’s (PWA) consistent stride to develop innovations and technologies to serve the people in 74 provinces across Thailand. To improve its current operation, PWA is planning to install, in the 2023-2027 operation plan, a cluster algorithm to enable best Demand-Side/Supply-Side management, in fulfilment of the organisation’s “Determined – Confident – For the People” commitment.
Dr. Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Minister of Interior, reported on the anniversary event the ongoing clean water acquisition and management plan, which allows easier access to clean and consumptible water following PWA’s 20-year water resource management prototype. This includes a general upgrade of water production capacity in major cities, special economic zones, and main tourist attractions, as well as expansion of service areas and renovation of water system to elevate the quality of life in rural areas.
To be included as parts of the expansion plan are PWA branches in Mueang Nakhon Nayok district and Pak Phli district, Nakhon Nayok province (2020-2022), with an estimated increase in water production for up to 24,000 cubic metres per day, allowing an additional accommodation of 11,500 people; PWA branches in Su-ngai Kolok – Tak Bai districts (Narathiwat special economic zone) and Su-ngai Kolok –Waeng – Tak Bai districts in Narathiwat province (2020–2022), with an estimated increase in water production for up to 14,400 cubic metres per day, allowing an additional accommodation of 9,620 people; PWA branches in Ban Chang district to prepare for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)’s need, along with Mueang district, Nikhom Phatthana district, and Pluak Daeng district, Rayong province (2020–2022), with an estimated increase in water production for up to 48,000 cubic metres per day, allowing an additional accommodation of 32,500 people; as well as renovation of PWA branches in Sing Buri and Loei provinces.
Dr. Songsak further revealed PWA’s 2023-2034 operation plan, which includes expansion of service areas and installation of a cluster algorithm to enable best Demand-Side/Supply-Side water management. Not only that this digital database will contribute to improved and continuous service provisions, but also more efficient analysis of collected data on PWA’s internal report, people’s needs, land usage, water production capacity, distribution center, and raw water reservoir.
On this occasion, Mr. Kritsada Sunkhamani, Deputy Governor (Technical Affairs) and Acting Governor of PWA, reassessed the previous assisting measures which had helped to cut off people’s expense during the first surge in 2020, amounting to over 3,551 million baht in total.
To achieve that, PWA had provided a 20% discount for 3 months for household water use, and a 3% discount for government sectors, extended payment due date, fee exemption for water charges, and refunded water meter deposit, excluding actual water fee used.
In response to the resurgence of the Covid-19 in the beginning of 2021, PWA has recently issued new assisting measures that allow extension of payment due date for up to 20 days from January-March 2021, along with a 10% discount for households’ and small businesses’ water use.
These measures have thus far helped to ease the economic hardship of over 4.55 million people, reducing the cost of living for over 257 million baht in total.
Amid the spread of the Covid-19, PWA strives to ensure its water quality standard. Data processing and analysis from Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), National Research Council of Thailand, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, reveals that the current water production system can eliminate the Covid-19, as no virus has been found in both raw and drinking water, suggesting that people can trust the quality of water by PWA.
For more information is available on PWA Application, PWA Call Centre 1662, Line official account “@pwathailand” and www.pwa.co.th.
