Water diversion from the Stung Num watershed in Cambodia has been listed as a potential solution to water shortage problems faced by industrial estates in Thailand's eastern provinces
- From: Chim <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:51:44 -0700
Tuesday August 28, 2007
Cambodia eyed as new source of water supply
Diversion scheme to feed industrial estates
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Water diversion from the Stung Num watershed in Cambodia has been
listed as a potential solution to water shortage problems faced by
industrial estates in Thailand's eastern provinces, according to the
Department of Water Resources. According to the project's feasibility
study, recently revealed by the department, some 200 kilometres of
pipeline will be constructed at a cost of 30 billion baht linking the
proposed Stung Num dam in Cambodia to Prasae reservoir in the Thai
eastern province of Rayong.
However, department chief Siripong Hungspreug said that because of its
large scale and high investment cost, it would take a long time and
more study before the project would materialise.
In the meantime, relevant agencies have come up with plans to supply
water to the water-starved industrial estates, which would be safe
from water crisis for at least four years, Mr Siripong said.
These include plans to divert water from the Bang Pakong and Pasak
rivers to reservoirs in Rayong and Chon Buri provinces.
''Moreover, as far as I know, no new factories will be built in the
area as the government is looking for another place to accommodate new
factories, so water shortages may not pose a big problem [for the
industrial estates in the eastern provinces],'' he said.
The Stung Num water diversion project was dusted off in 2005 when the
eastern provinces, which are home to several petrochemical factories,
faced a severe water crisis. Officials had to divert water from many
rivers and reservoirs to feed the industry, causing serious conflict
among water users in the area.
In 1992, Thailand and Cambodia agreed in principle to develop a
hydropower plant at Stung Num, which will see around 546 million cubic
metres of water diverted from the Stung Num watershed yearly to
generate electricity at a power plant, to be set up in Thailand's Trat
province.
The water divered to the power plant then will be piped to Prasae
reservoir to feed industrial and farming activities.
According to the feasibility study report, water consumption by the
industrial sector in the eastern region will increase from 295 million
cubic metres this year to almost 600 million cubic metres in three
decades.
Mr Siripong, however, said the proposed transboundary water diversion
plan will be the last option to provide water to the industrial
sector. It will be adopted only after the government is certain the
project will be worth the investment cost, he added.
Praphant Asava-aree, managing director of Eastern Water Resources
Development & Management, a major supplier for industrial operators in
the eastern region, said diverting water from the neighbouring country
must be carefully considered since the cost would be high.
''Moreover, we can say there are still sufficient water resources for
both the agricultural and industrial sectors. We even have enough
water for the third phase of petrochemical industry in Rayong, if
approved, which requires an additional 40 million cubic metres of
water per year,'' Mr Praphant said.
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