wowpow
June 4th, 2006, 08:06
Bangkok Post 4th June 2006
"Sources muddied by landslides in lower North
Residents of Bangkok and nearby provinces can expect shortages of tap water in the next week as water sources have been muddied by flood-triggered landslides in the lower North, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) warned yesterday. Weerachart Olarnpiriyakul, the MWA's deputy governor, said small particulate matter has surged to 2,000 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).
An NTU is a measure of water turbidity taken by passing light through a sample and measuring the amount of the light that is deflected. Mr Weerachart said such a high level of particles in water is unusual. Such level of turbidity has not been recorded in the city's water sources for 40 years, he said. He said the turbidity of water in the Chao Phraya river is usually 30-150 NTU, and generally deemed fit for tap water production. As the mud and dirt from landslides in the North flowed into city water sources, the turbidity level shot up to 1,500 NTU on Thursday. It reached levels of about 2,000 NTU on Friday.
Mr Weerachart said the MWA was forced to cut production of tap water on Friday, reducing water supplies by more than 50%, from 4.8 million cubic metres per day to two million cubic metres. As a result, the city of Bangkok, Samut Prakan and other urban areas nearby will face temporary water shortages or low supplies of water.
Mr Weerachart said it takes longer to separate high levels of dirt from water and produce clean supplies for the affected areas. He said the muddy water causes filtration devices to work slowly and great efforts will be required from MVA staff to ensure water quality. However, Mr Weerachart said, a later survey at a pump station at Pathum Thani found that the turbidity level had lessened slightly.
If things improve, the MWA will increase water production accordingly, he said. Those living in areas prone to water shortages are advised to use water prudently and store water for use and consumption. The situation is expected to return to normal in about seven days, said Mr Weerachart. Those who want further information can contact the MWA call centre at 1125 around the clock"
from Thaivisa.com news service
"Sources muddied by landslides in lower North
Residents of Bangkok and nearby provinces can expect shortages of tap water in the next week as water sources have been muddied by flood-triggered landslides in the lower North, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) warned yesterday. Weerachart Olarnpiriyakul, the MWA's deputy governor, said small particulate matter has surged to 2,000 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).
An NTU is a measure of water turbidity taken by passing light through a sample and measuring the amount of the light that is deflected. Mr Weerachart said such a high level of particles in water is unusual. Such level of turbidity has not been recorded in the city's water sources for 40 years, he said. He said the turbidity of water in the Chao Phraya river is usually 30-150 NTU, and generally deemed fit for tap water production. As the mud and dirt from landslides in the North flowed into city water sources, the turbidity level shot up to 1,500 NTU on Thursday. It reached levels of about 2,000 NTU on Friday.
Mr Weerachart said the MWA was forced to cut production of tap water on Friday, reducing water supplies by more than 50%, from 4.8 million cubic metres per day to two million cubic metres. As a result, the city of Bangkok, Samut Prakan and other urban areas nearby will face temporary water shortages or low supplies of water.
Mr Weerachart said it takes longer to separate high levels of dirt from water and produce clean supplies for the affected areas. He said the muddy water causes filtration devices to work slowly and great efforts will be required from MVA staff to ensure water quality. However, Mr Weerachart said, a later survey at a pump station at Pathum Thani found that the turbidity level had lessened slightly.
If things improve, the MWA will increase water production accordingly, he said. Those living in areas prone to water shortages are advised to use water prudently and store water for use and consumption. The situation is expected to return to normal in about seven days, said Mr Weerachart. Those who want further information can contact the MWA call centre at 1125 around the clock"
from Thaivisa.com news service