Water aplenty, says Governor

PHUKET: Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi has confirmed that Phuket should have no water shortages until at least the end of this year and perhaps beyond. Gov Pongpayome told the Gazette that heavy rain had alleviated the problem, which at one stage saw Patong and Karon with water rationing and the prospect of restrictions also looming for Phuket Town. The completion of a pipeline between Klong Bang Yai and Bang Wad reservoir means that the reservoir could contain 7.2 million cubic meters by January – more than enough for Phuket’s short-term needs, an official told the Gazette this week. Gov Pongpayome, who is leaving the post in September to become Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, would also like to see the long-term problem resolved. “We need more budget and a good system, ” he said. “Fortunately, the government rates this problem as one that needs to be fixed. “I think an additional reservoir is the best option to solve the problem.”