Salinity increase in water source ‘within safe limits’
The increase in salinity in Chao Phraya River is within safe limits and hence it can be used to produce tap water, experts said.
Currently, the intrusion of saltwater in Chao Phraya River has made tap water production from the river more salty, raising people’s concerns and also affecting tap water production in Thailand, Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) governor Nopparat Maythaveekulchai said recently.
On Tuesday (January 7), a team of PWA scientists measured the salinity rate of the raw water source at Wat Kai Tai water pumping station in Pathum Thani province. They reported salinity of 0.16 grams per litre.
“This salinity rate was in the safe zone, or the ceiling of 0.50 grams per litre, according to the tap water production criteria,” the governor explained.
“Although the salinity did not exceed the criteria, the PWA will monitor the saltwater situation closely to ensure the tap water production meets healthy standards,” he said.
The Pathum Thani waterworks branch is in charge of Wat Kai Tai water-pumping station. Presently, the branch still uses Chao Phraya water to produce tap water despite the increase in salinity.
The branch manager, Pawat Pleangsri, explained that the current rate had not affected the production, and also added that the PWA would suspend pumping of water when the sea level rises.