“This water management operation is one of the measures to cope with saltwater intrusion in the Chao Phraya River, which affects tap water production and agricultural activity,” he said. 
The operation will also support water release from Chao Phraya Dam and irrigation in the Mae Klong River on January 8 and 9. These operations aim to dilute the river’s salinity. 
Thongplew said that when saltwater is low, the floodgates will be opened to push the Chao Phraya water out. The gates will be closed when saltwater rises to prevent its intrusion. 
His department is also collaborating with the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority to suspend the pumping of water from Samlae Raw Water Pumping Station in Pathum Thani province when the sea rises.

Operation to reduce river salinity

Royal Irrigation Department director-general Thongplew Kongjun ordered Regional Irrigation Office 11 on Monday (December 6) to prepare a water management plan for Lat Pho canal, aiming to use the canal water to control the salinity level of the Chao Phraya River.