Phuket buys more water from golf course

KATHU: Phuket Provincial Waterworks has signed a 600-million-baht contract to buy water from MBK Properties and Development Co, owner of the supply source, a tin mine at Loch Palm Golf Course in Kathu. The agreement is intended to ensure there is sufficient water supply throughout the January-April dry season. Phuket Waterworks has estimated water demand of 3 million cubic meters for the period, 1 million cubic meters more than the Bang Wad reservoir can supply. The reservoir has a capacity of 8.5 million cubic meters, but in an average year receives less than half this amount. Meanwhile, much of Phuket’s abundant rainfall overflows from tin mines and flows uselessly into the sea during the rainy season. Phuket Waterworks PR Director Rattana Boonpienpol explained, “To prevent drought this summer we will buy water from two private companies. MBK was the first company chosen because it has a large tin mine at Loch Palm, which is the largest available source nearby.” According to the contract, 600,000 cubic meters will be bought at 2 baht per cu m. Phuket Waterworks is now searching for a second private source to supply the additional 400,000 cubic meters. Phuket Waterworks also has a 6 million baht budget to construct a temporary pumping station and install 800 meters of piping to carry the water from Loch Palm. The water will first be drained through the soil at Loch Palm to remove impurities. Payment for the water will be made in April.