In Koh Samui, the water situation is becoming critical: some neighbourhoods in Lamai have been without mains water for more than seven days, while the reserves in the artificial lakes are at their lowest and overdevelopment is putting heavy pressure on resources.
Several residents of Lamai report a complete interruption of the water supply for a week. The phenomenon is also affecting other areas of the island, such as Chaweng, where occasional cut-offs have been reported. Local authorities and the water distribution company have confirmed that the reserves in the main basins (notably Namuang and Pru Krajood) have fallen to a very low level, around 23% of their capacity.
The causes cited by residents and observers are multiple: massive overdevelopment (villas, hotels and swimming pools), a sharp rise in tourist numbers, overexploited groundwater tables and a prolonged lack of rain. One resident notes that “all these ill-considered constructions are leading to this situation”. Another observes that the level of the Namuang reservoir, visible from the stadium, is visibly dropping and risks running dry quickly.
The desalination plant at Pru Krajood (Lipa Noi) is being modernised after several years of interruption. Water also arrives partly from the mainland via a pipeline, but the flow appears insufficient to meet demand. Tanker lorries are operating around the clock to supply hotels and private homes, while some residents are turning to private boreholes.
On Koh Phangan, the situation is hardly any better: water arrives only once a week in certain sectors. Comments on social media reflect growing concern over a development model deemed unsustainable, with new building permits still being issued on the hills.
local source