The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Phuket Branch and Team Consulting Engineering and Management Public Co Ltd met Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday (Sept 23) to present updated findings for the proposed water production and distribution project. The scheme is designed to support rapid investment and tourism growth across the Andaman coast, said an official report of the meeting.
The project would draw raw water from Khlong Phum Duang, where a new weir and reservoir are planned, and pump it to the Ton Yuan Subdistrict Waterworks Plant in Phanom District, Surat Thani. From there, treated water would be piped 300.7km along highways through Phang Nga before reaching Phuket as well as Krabi. The supply would feed six PWA branches – Ban Ta Khun, Phang Nga, Thai Mueang, Ao Luek, Krabi and Phuket – to strengthen water security for both residents and businesses.
According to the PWA, the current review updates a 2024 study to account for high investment costs and to explore a public-private partnership (PPP) model aimed at easing the burden on the government budget. Results will be submitted to the Cabinet and other relevant agencies for further consideration.
Governor Sophon welcomed the initiative but stressed that environmental and community concerns must be addressed before any decision is made. “This project is important for local development, but details still need to be carefully considered,” he said, urging the PWA and its consultants to speed up assessments of potential impacts and local needs.
The PWA says the expanded network would provide a stable raw water source and reliable tap-water production for key economic areas in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, where demand is projected to rise sharply in coming years.