Households in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan have been warned that their tap water may occasionally taste brackish, due to the high content of sodium chloride, but that it is still safe for consumption.

Mr. Raksak Suriyaharn, deputy governor of Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), said today (Monday) that the shortage of rain in most parts of Thailand, despite the onset of the rainy season in early June, has resulted in an influx of sea water deeper into the Chao Phraya River, while the amount of water flowing downstream is insufficient to push back the saltwater.

To address the problem, he said the MWA has adjusted its water production plan, in sync with the discharge of water through the Chao Phraya dam by the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), to push back the seawater temporarily, adding that this method allows a window of just four hours per day to pump raw water, which is less brackish, at Sam Lae in Muang district of Pathum Thani, to be used to produce tap water.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan chaired a meeting of the Office of the National Water Resources today to discuss the current drought, which may affect up to 34 provinces in August due to the shortage of rain, which is forecast to last until July.

It was reported from the meeting that all agencies concerned have been told to store water and to explore for new water sources for future use.