The Public Health Ministry says five hospitals in the North and Northeast are facing severe water shortages caused by the drought, which has affected the hospitals' medical services.
The five hospitals are Doi Ngam Tambon Health Promotion Hospital and Pa Hoong Tambon Health Promotion Hospital in Chiang Rai, San Pa Tong Hospital in Chiang Mai, Wiang Kao Hospital in Khon Kaen and Phra Thong Kham Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Sophon Mekthon, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said the ministry has been on full alert monitoring the drought crisis.
He said the water shortage has affected dental treatment units and consumption in the two tambon health promotion hospitals in Chiang Rai.
Phra Thong Kham Hospital has found high levels of mineral sediment exceeding the safety standard in the water, while Wiang Kao and San Pa Tong hospitals face a shortage of water for consumption purposes, according to Dr Sophon.
The ministry contacted the local tap water production authorities to provide additional water sources for the hospitals, along with improving the water quality to be in line with safety standards.
"We have focused on the provinces hit by the severe drought. We want to ensure that all hospitals in risk areas are ready for the water management plan which aims to produce enough clean water for medical services," he said.
According to the ministry, 2,216 people have caught illnesses caused by a lack of water since January. The illnesses include food poisoning, diarrhoea and typhoid.
Authorities suggested people ensure they use clean water and food to prevent falling sick.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Waterworks Authority has reported to the National Water Resources Board that 17 local tap water manufacturing stations in 14 provinces mostly in the northern and northeastern regions face a supply shortage.
Among them, three tap water manufacturing stations in Chachoengsao province have suffered sea water intrusion into raw water sources.
Thanar Suwattana, spokesman of the Department of Royal Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said the amount of water in four major dams supplying the Chao Praya River basin stood at 3.1 billion cubic metres, of which 538 million cubic metres is now available to help preserve the ecological system.
Regarding the seawater intrusion, Mr Thanar insisted the amount of seawater intruding into raw water sources is not a problem just yet but water pumping to feed tap water production would be suspended if salt levels in fresh water rise much higher.
In Bangkok, a saltwater measuring station at Siriraj Hospital found the level of salt in the Chao Phraya River at 2.13 grammes per litre, which is slightly higher than the safety standard for agricultural use of 2.00 grammes per litre.
