Fixing Kamala water “will take 2 months’

KAMALA: Local authority staff are distributing water to residents of Kamala whose supplies have been rendered undrinkable after being contaminated during the tsunami.

Kamala Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) Chairman Jaran Sararak told the Gazette that the OrBorTor had arranged for water to be delivered to villagers in Moo 3, where the existing water supply had been disrupted.

He said he hoped that water pipes would be repaired and the supply fully restored within two months.

Around 20% of Kamala’s water supply has been polluted, said K. Jaran. However, he added,  “We haven’t found any cases of disease yet, though I recommend that people drink soft drinks or boil their water before use.”

Kathu District Chief Officer Kantee Sinlapa told the Gazette that the water problem affected around 200 families in Moo 3, but that he hoped some homes would have a clean supply within five days.

He added that anyone who needs more fresh water should contact the Kathu District Office.

In Patong, which is served by Phuket Provincial Water Works, the municipality is distributing free water to householders.

The Chief Administrative Officer of Patong Muncipality, Phunsak Naksena, said the water was potable, but householders were reluctant to drink it because it was brackish. He added that, as far he was aware, no cases of water-borne disease have been reported.

Sayun Varee Arunrod, the manager of the Phuket Provincial Water Works (PWW), told the Gazette that the tsunami caused around 1.2 million baht worth of damage to PWW water pipes.

He said the company was working hard to fix these pipes, and he expected repairs to be completed within a week.