Is Phuket’s Bang Wad dam running dry?

Last year’s dry season, the traditional December to April period when there is little rain in Phuket, was very wet. So after four months of this year’s wet season you’d think the dams would be getting close to full. Right?

The Bang Wad dam in Kathu, one of the island’s main fresh water sources, is at a low point that is surprising locals given the time of the year.

Pisak Chonlayut, Manager at the Phuket Waterworks Authority, has confirmed that the Bang Wad dam is almost dry at the moment because three pumps broke down at the same time.

“They are now fixing the pumps, which should be completed by tomorrow. Once the repairs are completed, they will start pumping the water from the Sanpasamit Dam in Kathu to re-fill water in the Bang Wad dam”.

He also said that next month, more rain is to be expected, so the additional amount of water will fill the dam naturally.

“Phuket not only uses water from the Bang Wad dam, but also from Bang Niao Dum dam, which is now 100% full, so there is no need to be worried about water supply, he said.

He added that the long-awaited Khlong Khata dam, in Chalong, is almost finished and people located in Karon and Kata will receive water from this source, which will make water management easier for these areas.