The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is working with the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) to install fire hydrants in the city.

The two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday to install 258 fire hydrants in high-risk areas. The project is expected to take 210 days to complete.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the project will help improve the city’s safety standards, especially in places where households are packed together in small spaces or are far from natural water resources.

“Also narrow roads make it difficult to reach some communities in case of fire. Hence, fire hydrants are a suitable alternative that will help officials put out fires before they can spread further,” he said.

Chadchart added that fire hydrants will also extend MWA’s water-supply coverage. MWA’s main pipe system does not cover all areas of the city.

“The BMA prioritises every Bangkokian’s safety and protection of their assets. So, we believe that signing the MoU will be a first step in continued efforts to enhance safety standards in all communities,” he said.

The governor added that the BMA is planning to cooperate with the MWA in other projects, such as wastewater management, laying of water pipes, road construction projects and the reinstallation of drinking water fountains that were removed a few years back to curb Covid infections.

Chadchart reckons the return of public water fountains will also help reduce plastic waste from water bottles and the city should see tangible results within a year from now.