The Provincial Waterworks Authority is investing 900 million baht to move raw water from the Pa Sae reservoir in Chanthaburi to the Nongklangdong’s Bang Phra water-production plant in a 10-year-plan to alleviate water shortages.
PWA Pattaya manager Suthas Noochapan said May 23 that Pattaya uses more than 200,000 cubic meters of water per day. The raw water brought in from two main sources and five reservoirs – Mabprachan, Nongklangdong, Huay Saphan, Huay Khunjit, and Chaknok – is managed by the East Water Management Co., which maintains there is currently sufficient supply.
However, Pattaya’s growth means water authorities must find new sources to guard the future.
A pipeline system moves water from the Bangpakong River, Khlong Luang reservoir and Klong Phra Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit canal to Pattaya. However, Chonburi’s own water situation is tenuous, so officials are looking at new sources in Rayong and Chanthaburi.
The PWA recently signed an agreement with the Royal Irrigation Department to lay a new pipeline from the Pa Sae reservoir to connect with the Nongklangdong reservoir in Rayong. It can supply about 100,000 cubic meters per day.
That would be enough to keep Pattaya wet for up to a decade, water officials said.
Suthas said raw water shortages occur often so a solution is urgent.
