Water resource authority unveils seven top-priority projects in EEC
The Office of National Water Resource (ONWR) has revealed the details of seven water resource management projects to be implemented in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) areas before presenting them to the National Water Resource Commission meeting on July 22.
“There are many urban development projects in Rayong, Chonburi and Chachoengsao provinces which might be facing the risk of water shortage for consumption and industrial usage,” ONWR secretary-general Somkiat Prajamwong said. “The government has assigned the ONWR to build 38 water reservoirs and water resource management projects in the areas. This is expected to increase water resources by 872 million cubic metres.”
The seven projects that will receive top priority are:
1. Building of reservoirs for sea water desalination, to be jointly carried out by PTT Plc and East Water Group. The project should start next year and will finish before 2022.
2. Development of underground water reservoirs for industrial use at 12 million cubic metres. The project will be under responsibility of Department of Groundwater Resources and should be able to start within 2021.
3. Building of reservoirs along Bang Pakong River, consisting of Nong Krathing and Klong Kaphong reservoirs in Chachoengsao, with capacity of 15 million and 27.5 million cubic metres respectively. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will be responsible for this project that should start before 2022.
4. Building of Klong Phlo reservoir in Rayong with a capacity of 40 million cubic metres. The RID will be responsible for this project that should start before 2023.
5. The development of four existing reservoirs in EEC areas. These reservoirs have a combined capacity of 37.24 million cubic metres and span across Chonburi, Chantaburi and Sa Kaeo provinces. The RID will be responsible for this project that should start within 2021.
6. Building the Klong Siyad reservoir in Chachoengsao with a capacity of 60 million cubic metres. The RID will be responsible for this project that should start before 2022.
7. Building of the Prasae reservoir with a capacity of 99.5 million cubic metres and expansion of the Chonburi Provincial Waterworks. The project will be jointly supervised by the RID and Provincial Waterworks Authority and has a timeframe between 2022 and 2027.