The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) recently accompanied Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to monitor the water situation in Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi provinces and report on progress of the water supply system development plan for Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram in response to rapid expansion of Western Bangkok.
Mr. Wiboon Wongsakul, Governor of the PWA, noted that growth of urban communities in Western Bangkok is continuous, resulting in forecasting increasing demand for tap water in the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram. PWA has therefore implemented a project to improve and expand the PWA Samut Sakhon-Nakhon Pathom branch. It has constructed a water production system with a capacity of 432,000 cubic meters per day at Photharam water production station and water production station 1 using raw water from the Mae Klong River. It has also laid a 1,800-millimeter water pipeline to deliver water to various water distribution stations. All this is to increase efficiency and support demand for water by people in Nakhon Chai Si District, Phutthamonthon District and Muang District in Nakhon Pathom Province; Photharam District and Bang Phae District in Ratchaburi Province, and; Ban Phaeo District, Krathumbaen District and Mueang District in Samut Sakhon Province. The project is expected to accommodate more than 71,500 water users in the next 10 years.
Mr. Lakchai Pattanacharoen, Deputy Governor (Operation 4), added that the PWA has joined Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan in visiting the area to follow up on water management and water resource development projects in Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram provinces. PWA will manage the water supply and provide a backup water source to produce tap water, serve the people adequately, and accelerate expansion of the PWA water service area to cover all four provinces.
To upgrade and develop the economic area to support the growth of the community to its fullest potential, PWA continuously monitors and solves problems of water loss as well as reducing water resource waste. Moreover, PWA has discussed with the Department of Royal Irrigation, Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, and the National Water Resources Office how to work together to achieve sustainable management of water resources throughout the system. All in response to government policy to encourage provision of sufficient clean water for consumption, better hygiene and quality of life.