According to the Office of the National Water Resources, the escalating water scarcity can be attributed to a diverse array of factors ranging from population expansion, industrial evolution, blossoming tourism, to agricultural progress. The region embodying this potential crisis is the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and its vital provinces: Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong.
As we marched into the year 2022, the cumulative water demand in this region soared to a staggering 657.73 million cubic metres. Roughly, households consumed around 216.83 million cubic metres, while industry and agriculture guzzled 308.98 million and 131.92 million cubic metres respectively.
As per the agency’s analysis, they predict a 19.39% surge in water demand by 2027 from the 2017 level, totalling 2.89 billion cubic metres. The agricultural domain is expected to play the role of the biggest water consumer, with the industrial and household sectors trailing behind.
Intriguingly, the experts predict that the province of Chachoengsao will experience a steep rise in demand, totalling 1.58 billion cubic metres. This will be followed by Rayong and Chonburi, with predicted demands amounting to 682 million and 623 million cubic metres respectively.
Moving further into the future, by 2037, the total water demand is anticipated to climb to an alarming 3.09 billion cubic metres. This daunting estimate is grounded on a projected population swell of 6 million, resulting from burgeoning investment and infrastructure development in the region.
The expert agency warns that if we don’t widen the scope of our current water sources, which produce approximately 2.54 billion cubic metres, we might swallow the bitter pill of severe water scarcity in our near future, particularly by 2037. The agency’s research also forewarns that the potential effects of climate change on rainfall have been disregarded in existing water resource development schemes.
Given these ominous predictions, the agency has underscored the need for measures such as:
- Speeding up projects like the Bang Pakong River Basin Development Project situated in Chanthaburi
- Endorsing the extraction of fresh water from seawater in regions like Map Ta Phut and Pattaya, with the primary aim of satisfying industrial requirements
- Fostering an effective water-management system that encompasses monitoring of consumption, maintaining reserves and readiness of supply, primarily for the industrial sector. In addition to serving as a reference, this system can aid in outlining fitting pricing structures.
In conclusion, thriving on the thin line between water demand and availability, it is paramount to take effective measures to prevent devastating water shortages, promote sustainable usage, and preserve Mother Nature’s invaluable resource for the generations to come.
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