Phuket reservoirs at 55.3% as authorities plan more water storage

Phuket’s three main reservoirs held a combined 12.24 million cubic metres of water, or 55.3% of their total capacity, on 10 August 2026. Officials said supplies remain sufficient for tap-water production and household use, with no current impact on tourism or businesses.

Warat Surawadi, head of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said the province’s drought situation remained normal. Phuket was still in the rainy season, and rain was expected to continue intermittently until about November, although rainfall could decline at times.

The reservoirs have a combined capacity of 22.13 million cubic metres. Bang Niew Dum held 3.5 million cubic metres, or 44.9% of capacity; Bang Wad held 6.09 million cubic metres, or 59.7%; and Khlong Kata held 2.66 million cubic metres, or 64.2%, according to the Phuket Irrigation Project.

Bang Niew Dum and Bang Wad supply the Provincial Waterworks Authority and Phuket City Municipality mainly during the six-month dry season from December to May. Khlong Kata supplies the Provincial Waterworks Authority throughout the year because there is no other raw-water source available to replace it. The reservoir also supplies Chalong Municipality during the dry season.

Phuket can draw on mine pits and other water sources if conditions become critical, and authorities can arrange and distribute additional supplies. Local authorities in Choeng Thale, Thalang district, have also improved water sources and tap-water production systems as the area expands rapidly.

Sontaya Sutram, head of the engineering division at the Phuket Irrigation Project, said water demand was rising with the growth of tourism and the resident population. Average demand is about 80 million cubic metres a year, while the province receives average runoff of about 480 million cubic metres. The main constraint is limited space for water storage.

The province’s key storage sources include the three reservoirs, 101 small irrigation projects with a combined capacity of 5.9 million cubic metres, and 109 mine pits with an estimated combined capacity of 21.02 million cubic metres.

Authorities are studying additional storage areas to support Phuket’s urban expansion, with the study expected to be completed in 2027. The irrigation project is also urging residents and businesses, particularly villa and housing developers, to create water-storage facilities within their developments. Officials say these could help manage water, reduce flooding during the rainy season and provide reserves during the dry season.

The three main reservoirs are intended primarily to support tap-water production and household use, rather than agriculture. If rainfall follows seasonal patterns close to previous averages, the irrigation project expects no water shortage in the near term.