Surat thani: Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri visited the Provincial Waterworks Authority Region 4 in Surat Thani Province to oversee water production management. His visit aimed to emphasize the importance of the “network water supply system” approach and the need to reduce public expenses associated with water supply. He stressed that the availability of raw water, production plants, and distribution pipelines must be sufficient to meet public demand.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Songsak’s visit to the Ban Na Sai Water Production Station in Phunphin District was significant, with notable attendees including Mr. Jumpot Wannachatsiri, Governor of Surat Thani Province, and key officials from various waterworks and administrative sectors. During his visit, Mr. Songsak planted a symbolic Rung Phueng tree, while Mr. Jumpot planted a Khiam tree, representing Surat Thani Province. A meeting was held to discuss water production management, followed by a tour of the Ban Na Sai water production system.
Mr. Songsak highlighted the critical role of the Waterworks Authority in delivering water services to the public. He noted the increasing importance of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) due to its enhanced capacity to manage water quality and tariffs compared to local administrative organizations. He emphasized that the PWA must expand its production and service areas, particularly in the Provincial Waterworks Authority Region 4, which includes popular tourist destinations in the South. This expansion requires sufficient raw water, production capacity, and distribution infrastructure to meet customer needs and reduce financial burdens.
Furthermore, Mr. Songsak advocated for a “networked water supply system” to connect provinces and districts, allowing for the redistribution of water resources in case of issues in specific areas. He acknowledged the need for significant investment and a multi-year implementation timeline, stressing that these efforts should not burden the public financially. Feedback from Surat Thani’s House of Representatives members indicated public support for expanding the PWA’s service area to cover more local organizations and address water loss, aligning with legal regulations.
Provincial Waterworks Authority Region 4 serves seven provinces with 24 branches and 32 service units, covering areas like Chumphon, Ranong, and Phuket. The region relies on five main water sources and serves over 482,000 users, distributing 124.789 million cubic meters of water annually. The Surat Thani Provincial Waterworks Authority, in particular, serves 94,469 users with a production capacity of 7,450 cubic meters per hour, operating multiple pumping and distribution stations.
Challenges at the Ban Na Sai water production station include tidal fluctuations affecting raw water pumping and the absence of a backup generator for power outages. The authority has implemented short-, medium-, and long-term drought risk management solutions. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan branches have initiated system repairs and service area expansions to mitigate the impact of the 2025 drought, distributing emergency water supplies to affected residents.