CHIANG RAI – The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has announced a massive new infrastructure project. They plan to move the city’s main raw water source from the Kok River to the Lao River. This 2.2 billion baht initiative aims to guarantee clean, safe, and reliable tap water for over 80,000 residents.
On July 12, 2026, Chiang Rai Governor Chucheep Pongchai and PWA Governor Jakkapong Khamchan held a joint press conference. They met at the Wang Kham Water Production Station to update the public on current water quality. Furthermore, the leaders took local media on an active tour to see the detailed water treatment process firsthand.
Key Takeaways
- Massive Investment: A 2.2 billion baht budget will fund a new, highly advanced water production station at the Lao River.
- Safe Tap Water: Recent laboratory tests clearly confirm that heavy metals in the tap water supply remain well below standard safety limits.
- Long-Term Plan: The newly proposed water facility will be constructed between 2027 and 2029 to reliably serve up to 80,000 local users.
Overcoming the Contamination Crisis
This major shift comes after a heavy metal contamination crisis first hit the Kok River in March 2025. Since then, the PWA has strictly monitored and tightly controlled water quality across all daily production stages. Consequently, they actively upgraded their treatment processes to remove heavy metals safely and effectively from the local water supply.
To quickly boost public safety, the PWA invested 26 million baht into new, high-tech chemical treatment systems. These vital upgrades took place across both Chiang Rai and neighboring Chiang Mai provinces. Moreover, the agency set aside additional funds in 2026 for continuous water testing and independent, external lab checks.
Despite the past heavy metal issues in the raw water, the final tap water is now entirely safe to consume. The PWA Governor clearly confirmed that their current treatment process successfully removes all harmful contaminants. In fact, tests from June 16, 2026, showed all five water stations in Chiang Rai easily met strict national safety standards.
A Long-Term Solution for the Future
For a truly permanent fix, the PWA is pushing for a 2.248 billion baht budget for the 2027 fiscal year. Most of this money, roughly 1.95 billion baht, will go directly toward building the brand-new Mae Lao water station. Meanwhile, the remaining funds will help significantly reduce water loss in the pipeline system, as detailed in the PWA’s new water station plans.
If the national government approves this budget, construction of the new Mae Lao station will run from 2027 to 2029. This modern facility will totally replace the aging Wang Kham station and produce up to 4,000 cubic meters of water per hour. As a result, it will supply clean, flowing water to the Mueang, Wiang Chai, and Mae Lao districts.
Ultimately, the PWA promises to keep developing the water supply system while closely monitoring water quality. Local authorities now publish regular monthly water quality reports online to keep the public fully informed and confident. This highly transparent approach ensures that residents will always have reliable water, paving the way for a smooth relocation to the Lao River.
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