Cha-am water shortage: city installs pumps to restore supply
Cha-am Municipality is taking urgent steps to address a growing water shortage after construction works on an irrigation canal disrupted the flow of raw water used to produce tap water for residents.
The Cha-am water shortage began after the Royal Irrigation Department carried out a project to excavate two canals and merge them into a single larger canal. The project was intended to improve flood management and support agricultural water use across Cha-am district. However, the work also affected the flow of raw water feeding the municipality’s water production system.
As a result, the supply of water used to produce tap water for households fell significantly, prompting widespread complaints from residents.
On 3 March, Cha-am Mayor Nukul, together with Municipal Clerk Yutthapol Inmon and officials from the municipality’s public works department, inspected the affected area. They were joined by officials from the Phetchaburi Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office.
During the visit, an excavator was deployed to widen the irrigation channel in order to speed up the movement of water towards the municipal reservoir, where it can be processed into tap water.
Authorities also coordinated with disaster prevention officials in Phetchaburi to install a large water pump along the irrigation canal near the entrance to Ban Nong Yao village. An 800-metre pipeline has been laid to transfer water from the section of canal where the flow has been obstructed to the Cha-am municipal reservoir and the Pupwai pumping station.
Officials say the measures are intended to restore sufficient raw water for the municipal water treatment system and increase the overall water supply for residents in Cha-am and nearby communities such as Sam Phraya.
Hundreds of households receive water deliveries
While the Cha-am water shortage continues, municipal authorities have been delivering water directly to households.
According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Unit of Cha-am Municipality, five water tanker trucks were deployed on Monday, 2 March, operating from 09:30 until 01:00 the following morning.
During the operation, approximately 486,000 litres of water were delivered to 201 households across several communities. The largest number of requests came from Sam Phraya community, where 120 households required assistance. Additional deliveries were made to residents in Huai Sai Tai, Nong Ta Phot, Ruamjai Phatthana, Huai Chik, Saphan Hin, Chao Pho Khao Yai and Chai Mongkhon communities.
Further water delivery operations were carried out between 09:30 and 22:00 on subsequent days, again using five tanker trucks. During that mission, water was supplied to another 180 households. Sam Phraya community accounted for the largest share of requests, followed by Huai Sai Tai, Ruamjai Phatthana, Huai Chik and Huai Sai Nuea.
Municipal officials said emergency water deliveries are continuing daily, including weekends and public holidays, while efforts to restore the normal water supply are accelerated.
Residents experiencing water shortages can request water deliveries from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Unit of Cha-am Municipality by calling 032-471001 or 032-471222.
The municipality said it is working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible in order to minimise disruption for residents.
