FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Bangkokians with chronic illness, elderly, small pets told to avoid brackish tap water

Bangkokians with chronic illness, elderly, small pets told to avoid brackish tap water

Owing to severe drought conditions, seawater has entered Bangkok’s raw water system, making tap water very salty.

Hence, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Tuesday that young children, the elderly, people with chronic illness and small pets should avoid tap water.

It is important for people with underlying conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure as well as brain disease to avoid drinking tap water because of high sodium levels.

Though people with normal health can consume the water, they should reduce salt content in other things they consume.

People should also avoid using water from the Chao Phraya River or canals running off it because in some areas, the salt content is as high as 12 grams per litre.

Here are the salt per litre readings taken from Bangkok’s five water monitoring stations:

• Jaeng Ron 12.4g

• Dao Khanong 12g

• Bangkok Yai 9.6g

• Thewet 10.6g

• Bang Khen Mai 6.6g

Deputy Interior Minister Nipon Boonyamanee told the press on Monday that rising seawater from January 28 has affected raw water in Metropolitan Waterworks Authority’s pumping station in Pathum Thani.

Nipon added that the Royal Irrigation Department will look into ways of further filtering the water used from the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin rivers. He also urged relevant agencies to prepare for severe drought during the next two to three months.

RELATED
nationthailand