The private sector is urging the government to raise tap water fees on factories, businesses and households that use excessive amounts of water in April. The proposal is intended to offset the massive quantity of water that will be used during Songkran.
Twatchai Yongkittikul, an adviser to the Thai Bankers' Association, said the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) asked the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) yesterday to charge higher fees for factories and households that consume a higher volume of water in April versus what they had used in April 2015.
The request further aims to encourage Thais to conserve water ahead of the severe drought that is expected to negatively impact farmland, industrial estates and household consumption.
"In April we have the Songkran festival, which is one of the greatest water-consuming events of the year," Mr Twatchai said. "And at a time when we are about to be hit by a severe drought, those who consume excessive amounts of water should pay an additional fee for what they have consumed."
He declined to comment on a proper rate for high-level water users, saying it would depend on the government.
Mr Twatchai said people in the agricultural sector, mostly in rural areas, had sacrificed a lot by not growing a rice crop in the off season in order to help save water. It would be worthwhile for urban residents to help save water in their own way, he said.
The JSCCIB will also propose the idea to the Provincial Waterworks Authority.
Bowon Vongsinudom, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the JSCCIB would raise awareness among the public about the severity of this year's drought and encourage every sector to help get through the ordeal.
He said that if the additional fee idea is not accepted by the government, the JSCCIB will ask authorities to create alternative methods to deal with the water crisis.
The JSCCIB will host a seminar later this month to educate and exchange information on how to conserve water and cope with the drought. Some 100 companies have expressed a willingness to join the seminar and cut water use by at least 30% during the hot season, said Mr Bowon.