The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has developed various policies focusing on equitable water supply and financial support for vulnerable populations, particularly urban poor communities. According to the document “Good Practices in Urban Water Management” by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), MWA has implemented several measures to ensure access to water for the urban poor, including specific tariffs and financial support policies. I write here the most notable policies: 

Special Water Tariffs for the Urban Poor. MWA offers a low-rate tariff specifically designed to help urban poor households afford a stable supply of potable water. These special tariffs are structured to provide subsidized rates that are lower than the standard rates, ensuring that access to clean water does not become a financial burden on low-income communities​. Connection Fee Subsidy. To address the initial cost barrier of getting a water connection, MWA provides partial financial support for connection fees. This subsidy aims to make it feasible for low-income families to get connected to the municipal water supply system. It involves a reduction or deferred payment of connection costs for qualifying households. Community Partnerships. MWA has also engaged in partnerships with community-based organizations to expand access to the water supply for informal settlements. This involves working with local NGOs to map areas that require additional support and tailoring solutions for efficient water distribution.

The MWA’s implementation of these policies relies on direct collaboration with the local government and NGOs to identify the urban poor and deploy subsidies efficiently. They utilize an application and verification process, which allows them to accurately assess which households are eligible for tariff reductions and fee waivers.

Furthermore, MWA has incorporated a system where vulnerable groups can defer payments or receive phased billing options to ease financial pressure. This ensures that water service remains consistent even if households face temporary financial challenges. The technical adjustments, such as installation of smaller-diameter pipes and shared connections in informal settlements, also reduce the infrastructure cost, which is reflected in the reduced charges to the urban poor.

These measures are critical to mitigating water inequity, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas where informal settlements lack basic amenities. Through these policies, MWA aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6), focusing on clean water and sanitation, and ensures that financial constraints do not prevent access to a fundamental resource like water.

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) in Bangkok has implemented a range of strategies to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and combat illegal water use. These measures include the establishment of District Metering Areas (DMAs) to closely monitor and manage water flow, and regular water meter replacement every eight years to maintain accuracy. Pressure monitoring devices have also been installed across the network to detect leaks, and a public incentive program rewards citizens for reporting illegal connections, which has been effective in reducing unauthorized use. MWA’s field inspection units actively investigate billing trends to identify illegal connections, and penalties are enforced against violators, while incentives and reward will be granted who ever reported the violators. As a result of these comprehensive efforts, MWA successfully reduced NRW from 41.8% in 1998 to 30.2% in 2008, moving towards its goal of minimizing water loss and enhancing the efficiency of its distribution network. Private sector participation in Bangkok’s water supply system has played a significant role, particularly through various outsourcing and investment initiatives. Initially, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) explored privatization options to enhance service efficiency and reduce the cost of operations, especially with the rising cost of services. Although full privatization faced setbacks due to opposition from workers in 2004, the private sector remains actively involved through other avenues. This involvement includes concessions for specific areas outside the main supply network, operation of mobile water plants, and projects aimed at reducing water loss, such as reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW). MWA has also outsourced activities including meter reading, system maintenance, and the installation of new service connections to private entities to improve operational efficiency and reduce the burden on permanent personnel​.

Moreover, the current strategy encourages direct private investment for expanding MWA’s activities, especially targeting areas that are currently underserved. The private sector has been incentivized to help improve coverage and quality of service for water supply in remote or underserved areas under MWA’s jurisdiction, which contributes to ensuring a more comprehensive water supply across the city​.

Wastewater Management and Metropolitan Administration. 

Wastewater treatment is another critical aspect of Bangkok’s water management. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) oversees wastewater treatment in the city. Bangkok’s wastewater management has evolved significantly over the decades, with the city’s network of canals, or “khlongs,” playing a key historical role. Khlongs have been a part of Bangkok’s landscape for centuries, making them a unique and historical aspect of the city’s water management.  These winding channels, originally constructed during the 18th century, served as essential transportation routes, allowing goods and people to move seamlessly through the city’s water-rich landscape. While modernization and urbanization have seen many khlongs paved over or replaced with roads, a significant portion remains, offering a glimpse into Bangkok’s historical roots and providing an alternative means of navigating the city’s labyrinthine streets. Today, touring the khlongs by longtail boat provides a unique perspective on the city, allowing visitors to discover hidden gems, traditional wooden houses, and glimpses of daily life that reflect the old history. Originally, Bangkok relied on these khlongs for waste disposal, with untreated domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewater being directly discharged into them. This reliance on natural waterways for sewage management led to severe pollution as the city grew. In response to worsening water quality, Bangkok began implementing both structural and non-structural measures. Structural measures included building wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), with the first community WWTPs constructed in the mid-1970s. By the 1990s, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) launched a major program to treat wastewater more effectively, leading to the establishment of 22 WWTPs by 2009, including both central and community-based facilities.

​Apart from flooding, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) faces recurring challenges from saltwater intrusion into the Chao Phraya River, primarily due to reduced upstream freshwater runoff and rising sea levels. This phenomenon compromises the city’s raw water sources, leading to increased salinity in tap water, especially during the dry season when river flows are low. In 2015, for instance, Bangkok experienced significant salinity issues in its municipal water supply, attributed to upstream agricultural water use and high tides associated with sea level rise . Recognizing the severity of this issue, the BMA has included saltwater intrusion as a critical concern in its climate change adaptation strategies. Proposed mitigation measures include relocating water intake stations further upstream and constructing reservoirs to store freshwater during periods of high salinity

Bangkok currently uses a combined sewer network that integrates both wastewater and surface runoff, with the flow being directed to WWTPs via an interceptor chamber. This setup means stormwater and sewage share the same pipelines, posing unique challenges during heavy rainfall when increased surface runoff overwhelms the treatment capacity. Despite the investments in infrastructure, the coverage of wastewater treatment in Bangkok remains limited, currently serving around 42% of the total service area. Also BMA encourage the reuse of treated wastewater. In 2020, about 6.87% (reuse/treat) was recorded.

Additionally, private sector involvement plays a crucial role in the development of wastewater infrastructure. Private companies are actively involved in surveying, designing, and constructing WWTPs. These collaborations aim to expand coverage and improve wastewater treatment standards, addressing both municipal and industrial waste. The city’s current efforts focus on enhancing the treatment capacity to better manage the pollution in both the khlongs and the Chao Phraya River, with ongoing challenges related to balancing rapid urbanization and maintaining environmental quality.