August 27, 2015, local media correspondents reported that Maprachan Lake was drying out and Pattaya residents could face water shortage problems during the cool season if it doesn’t rain. The population of Pattaya and Koh Lan has reached approximately 700,000 with over 400,000 businesses that must use water, especially hotels, condominiums and homes. The average 215,200 cubic meters of water per day is not quite enough.
The Regional Water Works Department Pattaya confirmed that there are 5 water sources all together, including Maprachan Lake which can only provide 48,000 cubic meters per day, Sak Nok Lake at 7,200 cubic meters a day, Nong Klang Dong Lake at 80,800 cubic meters a day, Banglamung Lake at 55,200 cubic meters a day and Map Yang Porn Lake at 21,600 cubic meters a day which adds up to a grand total of 215,200 cubic meters a day.
The Regional Water Works Department also stated that on August 3, 2015, all 5 water sources has an approximate total of 12,430,000 cubic meters and estimated that Pattaya will face water shortage in mid-September if people are using water normally. Pattaya City management aimed to tackle the issue by announcing publicly that 3 measurements will be installed during August 1-15 2015, and running a campaign for people to use less water on a daily basis. If there is no rain from August 15-October 15, the Regional Water Works Department Pattaya will be tweaking the water pressure down in order to reserve water from 22:00-04:00. These plans are to take effect on people who live or are visiting Pattaya and the surrounding areas, including Banglamung, Takian Tia, Nongplalai, Nongprue, Huay Yai and Najomtien. The measurements concerned will reserve up to 54,000 cubic meters per day and residents/visitors are not likely to suffer from water shortage.
Mr. Sutat Nutpan, general manager of the Regional Water Works Department Pattaya said that all 5 water resources of Pattaya can hold up to 40 million cubic meters, but sue to the lack of rain, the water storage is down to approximately 14 million cubic meters in all 5 water sources at present. Meetings have taken place to resolve the problem and he also confirmed that water can be provided from Pluakdaeng, Rayong and Bang-pakong as a back-up if there is no rain during the next following weeks. He confirmed to the residents that back-up plans have been made to tackle the matter and this year will be ok. The 3 measurements will be re-installed again if the same problems occur next year.
