If Bangkok’s tap water has tasted weird in recent days, blame the drought.

That salty or brackish flavor – cut with an extra bouquet of chlorine – some have complained of is the result of increased salinity in the Chao Phraya River, according to the drainage and sewage department.

“The water seems to be brackish for like a week now. I also smell chlorine more intensely,” Penny_lex tweeted. Tap water at some downtown locations has tasted noticeably different since at least Tuesday.

As of 11am on Thursday, river salinity exceeded standard levels, the department said, which is affecting the public water supply.

Bangkok’s Metropolitan Water Authority publishes real-time water quality information online.

A major drought five years ago resulted in similarly funky water flow, though at the time it was said to be still fall within World Health Organization standards.

Bangkok’s saltier tap water still safe to drink, officials say

The salt concentration in water for home use is not supposed to exceed 0.25 grams per liter.

Still, some capital residents have complained the tap water has tasted noticeably saltier than usual in recent days.

“The water is very brackish, omg. I can know from boiling water for tea,” Justmota tweeted.

“My house has brackish water, fuck. The ice cubes I made were all salty,” Twitter user Wsxxt_ wrote.

Related:

Parched Mekong reduced to puddles as drought threat builds (Video)

12 Thai provinces face water shortages

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