If you live in the USA you probably know that the water from your tap really isn't good to drink, even though the government assures you that it is. In fact, in many places it is yellow and smells of fish. To compensate, the water treatment plants just add more chlorine (bleach). This only increases the odor problem, not to mention the chemical taste.
Here in Thailand, the government is more pragmatic. They don't recommend you drink tap water; it is merely for washing, and even then it should be filtered to remove sediment. You can purchase a wide variety of filters at most hardware stores. A simple foam filter for the purpose costs about 650 baht [Convert to Your Currency] and lasts about 3 or 4 months.
There is no chlorine or flouride added to the municipal water in Thailand.
The "Office" Water Cooler is Common in Homes in Thailand
In Thailand, it is common to use a water cooler not only in the office but also at home. There are many companies that deliver safe, clean purified water to your doorstep. A big 18 liter bottle costs about 10 baht [Convert to Your Currency]. The water is usually filtered by reverse osmosis and harmful bacteria and other microbes are removed by exposure to UV light or ozone, both of which are far safer than chlorine and of course impart no foul taste or odor.
You can also install a more elaborate filtration system to the tap water to make it safe to drink, but most people opt for using the water coolers, which will cost you about 3,000 baht [Convert to Your Currency].
Something else a newcomer to the Kingdom of Thailand may need to know about the municipal water supply is that (particularly) during the dry season (from October through March) the flow may be interrupted from time to time. So, it is essential that homeowners install their own water storage tank and pump.
Brand New Water Tank and Water Pump
Water tanks come in various sizes to suit your needs and start at about 3,000 baht. Water tanks can be installed above ground like the one shown, or underground at greater expense. The tanks are generally made of special UV-resistant plastic or stainless steel.
A water pump like the one shown on the right above will set you back about 4,000 or 5,000 baht [Convert to Your Currency]. It is vitally important that the water pump be properly installed and grounded to earth. Make sure you employ a qualified tradesman who uses a copper grounding spike.
In most areas, the municipal water bill is very low. In fact, in Cha-am the city sometimes does not issue water bills for several months. When they do, it is typically just 200 baht [Convert to Your Currency] or so, depending on how much you water your lawn.
It is also legal to collect rain water from your own roof in Thailand (unlike the USA). Many homeowners have a drain pipe from the roof gutter that routes water into the storage tank.
In Thailand You Are Free To Collect Rain Water to Supplement Municipal Supply
Of course there is always the option to drill your own well. This can cost as much as 100,000 THB [Convert to Your Currency], depending on how deep you need to go.
Water heaters are different in Thailand compared to the USA. Most homes do not have central water heating, simply because it's not really needed since Thailand has warm weather year round. Most homeowners will use an electric shower heater like the one below.
Wall Mounted Electric Shower Heater, AKA "shower box"
Hot water at the sink or laundry really isn't necessary in Thailand, but most people like a warm shower, especially in the cooler months of December and January. Wall mounted electric tankless instant water heaters are very common in Thailand.
It is super critical that these heaters be properly earth grounded for safety. They should also be fitted with a safety cutoff circuit breaker.
If you have a tub or jacuzzi, you will probably need a tank-type water heater, which can be installed indoors or outside.
Solar water heaters are the most energy efficient and are growing in popularity. More information:
RSS Feed
