Water scarcity and inadequate waste management are a result of hospitality and urbanization.
5 October 2023 at 18: 59 PUBLISHED
PHUKET: Plans to address Phuket’s issues with water shortages, flooding, and poor wastewater management are being accelerated by the Office of the National Water Resources ( ONWR ).
Surasri Kidtimonton, the ONWR secretary-general, paid a visit to Phuket on Monday to monitor the development of the Kathu district’s water management strategy and wood conservation efforts.
Phuket, according to Mr. Surasri, is the province with the highest level of tourism importance, but the island experiences an annual water shortage of about 25.5 million cubic meters( m3 ), primarily during the dry season.
Overflowing rivers on the island cause flood issues during the moist season. Buildings that block withdrawals and high tides are the result of inadequate town planning.
According to him, the island’s industrial growth and high number of tourists have resulted in a decline in wood support. Additionally, a lot of rain is washing away the soil.
Additionally, the amount of waste that the island’s areas and amusement venues discharged went beyond what could be treated.
According to Mr. Surasri, the ONWR is conducting an area-based investigation to assist Phuket in more closely adhering to its 20-year water management master plan.
According to him, the goal is to treat up to 5 million m3 of waste annually and increase the monthly water supply to around 60.5 million.
Damage to soil was likewise a pressing problem, and appropriate management was required to restore the forest ecosystem.
Building test rivers in trees to slow down the flow of water during heavy rains and lessen the issue of soil erosion was the original plan for the wet season. In the Ban Nam Tok Kathu neighborhood of the Katu area, local authorities will immediately erect a check reservoir. Over a 291 ray location, this may aid in preventing topsoil erosion.
The ONWR will even offer recommendations for how Phuket residents and businesses can conserve water, such as by installing water feet in showers. He added that this had been successful in other nations and that Phuket had not yet been affected by the El Nino climate design.