Koh Samui Faces Water Rationing Amid Severe Shortage

Koh Samui, a popular tourist island in Thailand, is facing severe water shortages and has been forced to implement rationing. According to the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), prolonged dry weather, exacerbated by the El Niño pattern, has depleted the island's reservoirs, reducing clean water production capacity to about 40% of normal levels. The underwater pipeline from the Surat Thani mainland, which supplies approximately 16,000 cubic metres of water per day, is insufficient to meet the island's average demand of about 34,000 cubic metres. The PWA announced on Wednesday that tap water supply is being rotated across different zones of the island. Local residents and businesses are urged to conserve water, store it when available, and prepare for temporary interruptions. Many hotels and larger businesses have resorted to purchasing supplemental water trucked in from off-island sources. Properties at higher elevations have also reported affected piped water availability. The Interior Ministry on Wednesday ordered urgent measures to alleviate the shortage, which began affecting the island on Monday. Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth stated that the PWA aims to increase the volume of water sent through the undersea pipeline by approximately 4,000 cubic metres per day. Efforts are also underway to repair a damaged reverse osmosis treatment system and to maximize production by carefully managing available raw water resources. The ministry is also coordinating with the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to conduct artificial rain operations when conditions are favorable. Mr. Jeseth has instructed the PWA to provide daily progress reports, prepare contingency plans for a continued shortage, and keep residents regularly informed about water supply schedules to help them manage their usage. Beyond immediate responses, he has asked the PWA to develop a long-term water security plan encompassing expanded raw water sources, upgraded production facilities, improved transmission systems, and more robust water infrastructure to support the island's future growth.