Thailand’s southern tourist province of Krabi is facing a tap water crisis, forcing the waterworks authority in the Muang district, the sole distributor of tap water, to cut the supply to households and businesses, based on a zoning system, starting April 1^st.

An urgent meeting was held recently between Governor Somchai Harnpakdeepatima and Nutnapha Pinthong, the chief of the provincial waterworks authority, to map out a plan for coping with the water shortage and ensure the least possible impact on both tourism and households.

Nutnapha said that the two main sources of raw water, the Krabi Yai Canal and the reservoir in Tap Prik sub-district, are drying up due to a prolonged lack of rain.

The low-pressure water plant, which is capable for producing 1,800m³ of tap water per hour, will reduce the volume of water being drawn from the canal to 600m³ cubic metres per hour and from the reservoir down to 1,200m³ per hour.

According to water rationing plan, households and businesses located in Krabi Noi sub-district, Khlong Prasong and Nua Khong district will receive tap water from Monday to Wednesday, while the other areas, including the commercial and Ao Nang tourist zones, will have water from Thursday to Sunday.

Mobile water purification vehicles have been placed on standby to produce additional potable water for popular tourist areas, like as Ao Nang and Nong Thaley.

Many people have purchased buckets and water tanks in which to store water.