Dry days ahead as Bangkok’s water supply taps out

While we’re not quite in the post-apocalyptic water wars phase yet, fresh water may stop flowing from Bangkok’s taps this year and for some time to come if things go very, very wrong.

While few pucker up to the tap for their daily drinking needs, buying bottled water may become a necessity as drought conditions are making the supply of potable water even worse than last year, prompting authorities to prepare for the worst.

Around this time last year officials were apologizing for the briny taste of the stuff and warning the public to stock up because seawater was getting into the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority’s pumping stations after the usual rains that clear its system didn’t arrive as expected. The authority told the public that taste aside, the water’s hygiene was mostly the same (yet warned anyone with kidney- or thyroid-related ailments to stay away from it).

Photo: Cedrennes

This year freshwater shortages are on track to be even worse than the last. The authority’s Ratana Kitchawan gave a bleak prognosis for 2015, predicting worse drought than in previous years due to diminished fresh water levels. The authority had been forced to buy water from the East Water Co., which has access to reserve basins, although they have also been investing in finding alternative sources of water.

Meanwhile the private sector and government agencies are planning accordingly.

First off, water bottlers have prepared for the upcoming dry season in the provincial areas by planning increased production and digging new underground water wells. Expecting higher demand and eager to cash in on greater market share, they intend to reduce prices and release their products in new packaging, according to a report in Prachachat Business News.

The government side is dealing with competing demand for water from farmers, who in some areas planted rice against the advice from the Royal Irrigation Department, and thirsty consumers. Water levels in the Sirikit and Khwae Noi Bamrungdan dams are very low, so the department doesn’t plan to release more water to irrigate the rice fields in order to maintain water levels across the country, as well as preserve what’s left for the coming growing season, according to a state media report.

Last month the department warned the volume of water remaining in the country’s major reservoirs was the lowest ever in 15 years.

To stave off mass dehydration, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has prepared 33 distribution centers for fresh water, Governor Thanasak Watanantha said.

He also suggested people keep a personal supply of 60 liters at the ready.

Warnings aside, officials say they’re confident their reserves and improvements to the system should stave off the worst-case scenario.

The irrigation department says it has enough water in reserve for both consumption and agriculture, with nearly 4 billion cubic meters set aside for agricultural needs in the 22 provinces lining the Chao Phraya River.

But plans are only that and the possibility is not so remote that something could go wrong, whether this year or the next or in years to come.

So listen up and possibly heed those killjoys warning you to waste slightly less than an obscene amount of water next month during Songkran. It might actually be worth taking some responsibility beyond the usual slacktivist approach of “I’ll advocate wise water usage on Facebook except during Songkran because YOLO.” Don’t be responsible for starting World War: Water.

Some tips to prepare for the dry-pocalypse:

1. Mister Obvious says: Waste less of it.

2. Prepare at least a day’s supply of water for personal use

3. Experts say to stockpile at least 60 liters of drinking water. Otherwise when you really need it the stores will be empty or selling it for more than Benzene 95. Consider making furniture out of it to fit it all into your 19sqm “condolette.”

4. If you live alone, you may need to stockpile less. Don’t forget your kitty and/or hamster.

Photo: Katie Tegtmeyer

Related:

Bangkok to raise tap water price
Tapped Out: MWA warns public to stock up on fresh tap water
Leaves a bad taste: Expert says don’t worry about Bangkok’s briny tap water

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