FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Future reservoir eyed as water supply for EEC

Future reservoir eyed as water supply for EEC

A government subcommittee on “large and important projects” wants the Royal Irrigation Department to explore ways to increase the water supply for the burgeoning Eastern Economic Corridor.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who chaired the panel’s meeting on Thursday (March 12), said Rayong, Chonburi and Chachoengsao were at risk of water shortages, especially for household consumption.
“We have to reserve water to meet demand that will increase due to the increase in population and various developments in industry, tourism and agriculture,” he said.
The committee will at its next meeting on March 20 focus on the Huai Khok Khian Reservoir, which is a part of the Khlong Rabom Reservoir project under development, Prawit said.
“This project for fiscal 2021-2023 involves the construction of an earthen dam at Ban Ang Toei in Chachoengsao’s Tha Takiap district and the water will irrigate 11,000 rai of farmland in the rainy season and 3,000 rai in the dry season.”
“Three million cubic metres of water a year from the reservoir could be diverted for public consumption, animal husbandry, freshwater fisheries, tourism and industry,” he said. “And 1.3 million cubic metres annually could be diverted to desalinate the Bang Pakong River.”
Water demand in Chachoengsao in 2017 was 1.46 billion cubic metres, Prawit said, a figure expected to rise to 1.64 billion by 2037 – a 12-per-cent increase. The province currently has 1.51 billion cubic metres available.
“We have asked the Royal Irrigation Department to propose using the Huai Khok Khian Reservoir to the Bang Pakong River Basin Committee and to consult the Water Resources Act.”

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