The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is going to build a water reservoir with a capacity of 1,1 million cubic meters in Ban Pong Phrom of tambon Yang Hak (Ratchaburi) to combat the drought and poverty in the area.
The amount of water is sufficient for the irrigation of 900 rai, which benefits 200 households. Construction is expected to begin in 2022.
The reservoir is the sixth, as five have been built since 1991. In total, they have a capacity of 3,3 million cubic meters of water, enough for 7.300 rai. The project is an initiative of the current king, who visited the area in April 1991 when he was still crown prince. Yang Hak then suffered from water shortages, which meant that farmers could only grow rice once a year.
According to a village chief, the constructed reservoirs have improved the lives of farmers. They can now grow multiple fruits and sell them at Sri Muang Market, the main wholesale market in Ratchaburi.
Before the reservoirs were built, farmers could only grow corn, tapioca, and cotton. With that they earned at most 10.000 baht a year. Now they earn 200.000 to 500.000 baht per year.
Source: Bangkok Post
Construction will start in 2022 (expected)
The magnitude of the water shortage problem does not seem to have really sunk in.
Here in the village the water tap will probably close at the end of August.
After that, the water must be supplied with tankers.
A few years ago that was still 250 Baht for 2.000 liters, but I now hear 350 Baht mentioned.
Not quite sure yet.
I can probably still afford that, but for many people in the village that is more than a day's wages.
looking to the future, wouldn't it be better to put a pipe from the sea to it?
With a ro installation, you make fresh water, thus placed by the sea, it is only 40 km.
Ro installation can largely run on solar energy.
Let's take a look at Israel, where they make millions of liters of fresh water from salt water, due to a shortage of water for agriculture.
Or make a branch on the mae klong river, don't know how dry that thing is in warm times. It is also only 40 km.
If you leave a natural reservoir open and exposed, the water evaporates like snow in the sun. Perhaps covering it with a construction with solar panels on it, you immediately beep some power.
Thailand probably has enough water, if you provide sufficient storage.
Then you have enough water during the dry season and less flooding in the rainy season.
And you can also generate energy with it.
Well, let's say the construction will start in 3 years, then maybe no water will be needed at all, everything will be dead already.