Metropolitan Waterworks Authority initiatives to improve water supply-
In Thailand, the two main agencies responsible for the sourcing, production and distribution of piped water are the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) and the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA). While, the MWA provides piped water to Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan, the PWA serves provinces outside Bangkok. In addition, local authorities are in charge of supplying non-piped water to rural households.
The primary sources of drinking water in Thailand are surface and ground water. Currently, about 48 per cent of the population has access to piped water sources. A major concern in the northeast and southern parts of Thailand is salinisation, which is caused by the intrusion of saline water into the aquifers due to excessive groundwater withdrawals. Further, high loading of pollutants from industrial activities has contributed to degradation of water quality in the country.
Over the past decade or so, the MWA has managed to bring some noteworthy changes in the operation and management of water supply services. The non-revenue water (NRW) component of the total water supply has declined to 25 per cent – the lowest in the country. The number of water connections increased to over 2.2 million in 2014 from 1.9 million in 2010. During 2010-14, the total revenues increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3 per cent while total expenses recorded a CAGR of 2 per cent.
The authority has undertaken a number of steps to effectively manage its water treatment plants (WTPs) and distribution systems, reducing water losses, increasing water production capacity, and deploying advanced technological tools at waterworks.
Initiating comprehensive measures to augment water supply
The MWA increased the total water production to 1,797.8 million cubic metres (cum) in 2014 from 1,735.9 million cum in 2010. At present, the MWA has a daily water production capacity of 5.5 million cum. About 70 per cent of the water is sourced from the Chao Phraya river (Bhumibol and Sirikit dams), while the remaining 30 per cent comes from the Mae Klong Dam. The MWA serves a population of over 11 million through a distribution network of more than 32,000 km.
The authority has undertaken six water supply improvement projects to augment its water distribution system. Under these projects, the MWA has set up four WTPs, at Bangkhen, Mahasawat, Samsen, and Thonburi, with a maximum production capacity of 5.9 million cum per day. The MWA is currently implementing the seventh and eighth water supply improvement projects.
To reduce excessive water consumption and wastage, the MWA invested in the rehabilitation of the existing pipeline system. The authority has implemented works to replace obsolete pipelines to increase water pressure to 10 metres and reduce water loss to 20 per cent. The MWA has replaced about 99 per cent of the old water supply pipelines that have been in service for years in order to enhance the quantity and quality of water supply and reduce NRW. In addition, the authority has introduced the JD7 pipeline inspection and assessment technology to identify leakages in the water distribution network.
Next, the MWA developed an automatic water quality monitoring system for real-time monitoring of treated water at its WTPs. A 24-hour call centre service has been introduced to register consumer complaints related to waterworks. The agency has adopted the water leakage application system for integrated water leakage management. In addition, district metering areas have been formed to ensure efficient monitoring of the water supply system.
Moreover, the MWA introduced a real-time monitoring and management system to reduce water losses resulting from damage to pipes and equipment and inaccurate water meters. The MWA uses Yokogawa’s STARDOM FCJ controllers along with pressure transmitters, magnetic flow meters, and ultrasonic flow meters at key points throughout its distribution network. This enables the MWA to collect data from widely dispersed block stations and monitor leakages using a leakage check algorithm. The MWA also uses ABB’s water leakage management software to determine water loss levels in DMAs across the Greater Bangkok area. ABB’s system enables the MWA to monitor flow and pressure data at 1,000 measuring points and transmit it to a central control centre. It also helps in tracking leakages at joints and fittings as well as large-scale bursts. These technological solutions have helped the MWA reduce the level of NRW from as high as 40 per cent in 2000 to 25 per cent in 2013.
In an attempt to improve revenue collection and promote transparency in its operations, the authority has undertaken and planned several IT-related initiatives. The MWA has set up six drive-through payment service stations, where people can pay water bills and service fees. Customers can also obtain information regarding pending water bills, temporary water suspension and other information via email or SMS.
The way forward
With water demand slated to rise in tandem with population growth and economic development, the MWA has formulated ambitious plans to tap into other surface water sources like the Upper Chao Phraya river basin in Chainat and expand the capacity of its existing infrastructure facilities. “The MWA plans to invest 45 billion baht over the next seven years to increase production and storage. It has also started discussions on a 30-year plan to forecast water demand, identify sources of water and protect against saltwater intrusion,” Thanasak Watanathana, governor, MWA, said in a recent interview with Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Recently, in December 2015, the MWA awarded the contract to develop and operate a 110,000 cum per day capacity filtration facility to TTW Public Company, Mitsui & Co., and CH. Karnchang Public. The plant, which will be based on membrane technology, is expected to start operations by 2017. Furthermore, the authority is planning to invest in the water supply system through the ninth water supply improvement project. The objective of this project is to ensure adequate quality water supply as well as to enhance stability in the water production and transmission system. At present, the MWA is exploring the possibility of a loan to finance this project.
These projects offer significant market opportunities for contractors/developers, equipment suppliers as well as technology and solutions providers. The success of these projects will not only improve the management of water supply services, but will also act as a catalyst for other technological initiatives aimed at improving management of water resources and raising customer satisfaction.
