Thai royal irrigation department’s water management for seawater intrusion

One of the main duties and responsibilities of Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is irrigation water management for household consumption and ecological environmental protection. An example of the water management activity is seawater intrusion control in Chao Phraya river, especially at Samlae (100 Kilometers from the estuary) where raw water pumping station of Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) was constructed for providing water supply at approximately 1,298.02 million cubic meters per year for 1,366,142 residents in eastern Bangkok. RID has been strictly monitored the salinity in Chao Phraya river since 2014. In dry season, the consequences of seawater intrusion for water consumption vary widely depending on the extent of the intrusion, the intended use of the water. Due to the salinity exceeds standards for the intended use of MWA, RID collaborated with MWA to continuously monitor the water salinity data from Telemetry system along Chao Phraya river for desalination management. RID allocates fresh water from Bhumibol, Sirikit, Khaew Noi Impounding Dams through Chao Phraya Diversion Dam (5-7 days to Samlae) and from Pasak Impounding dam through Rama VI Diversion Dam (3 days to Samlae) in order to reduce salinity degree in Chao Phraya river. RID uses the online water quality telemetry data to annually provide water to reduce salinity in Chao Phraya river before it increases in dry season. As a result, the salinity degree has been continuously decreased since 2014. During 2019 to 2020, Thailand is facing severe drought which also caused excess salinity at Samlae, RID therefore planning to allocate water from Mae Klong Dam, passing Phrayabanlue canal to Chao Phraya river through Singhanat floodgate which is located 17 kilometers above Samlae. The water pump’s capacity is at 48 cubic meters per second to ensure safety water consumption.

1. Introduction

2. Material and methods

2.1 Objective of the Study

2.2 Study Area

2.3. Monitoring Salinity in Chao Phraya River

2.4. Water Management

3. Result and discussion

4. Conclusion and suggestion

REFERENCES

[1] TM-MWA http://rwc.mwa.co.th/page/stats/

[2] TM-RID http://wq-chaophraya.rid.go.th/

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Areerat Anuchon, Santi Tem-iam, Duangruthai Mongkolkeha and Wittaya Thiamsuk
Bureau of Water Management and Hydrology
Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand
Email: areeratanuchon@gmail.com; duangrutai.fon@gmail.com
sabuysabuysabuy@hotmail.com
 

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