Tap water recommendations from MWA

BANGKOK, November 11 (TNA) - The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has advised consumers to stop using water from their underground tanks, but to connect their pipelines directly to those of the MWA because floodwater may seep into their underground tanks. The MWA also warned consumers not to use water pumped through flooded pipes because the pipes may leak and dirty floodwater may be sucked into the pipes, suggesting if water valves are flooded, consumers can connect hoses to the valves, raise the hoses and continue to use tap water. The MWA insisted that its tap water is clean and its quality has been certified by MWA scientists and those of reliable organizations, including the Ministry of Public Health's Departments of Health and Medical Sciences and the Public Health Faculty of Bangkok's Mahidol University. According to the MWA, its tap water may smell chlorine, as more of the substance has been added to kill germs, advising people to leave tap water in open containers for half an hour or boil it before consumption to reduce the chlorine smell and flood evacuees to close their tap water valves to prevent damages from leaked pipes. The MWA said that people are welcome to seek further advice and information from its hotline number 1125 around the clock. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) urged flood-stricken households in the capital to each seek 5,000-baht compensation, offered by the government, from their district offices. Deputy City Clerk Sompop Ra-ngapthuk explained that the financial support is available for households facing sudden flooding with damaged properties and those inundated for at least a week with damaged properties. (TNA)