APPRAISAL OF COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS IN TAK PROVINCE, THAILAND | |
| Author | Bowles, Josiah |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.EV-13-01 |
| Subject(s) | Water quality--Thailand--Tak Water treatment plants--Thailand--Tak |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | |
| Abstract | Six community water treatment systems were visited between August and November 2012. Only one system had permanent operators at the treatment plant. Operators intermittently worked at the other plants. The quality of raw water and flows varied widely across the six plants. Treatment operation procedures were not properly followed in all systems. Only the system with permanent operators produced finished water which complied mostly with Thailand’s water quality standards. The research focused on data collection at the plant with two permanent operators. Despite the evident dedication of the operators, out of 132 tests, 43 incidents of noncompliance for bacteria, 54 incidents of noncompliance for turbidity, and 15 cases of noncompliance for free chlorine residual level were observed. The majority of the noncompliance occurred in early hours of the morning between the operator work shifts. It was found that standard free chlorine residual level of 0.2 mg/L did not offer confidence for pathogen elimination in the finished water at all times. Interviews were hold with four plant operators. Among these, only one had ever received relevant training for the job. One received training a long time ago but could not recall the subject matter. There was no water quality testing in evidence in any of the plants. Flow meters, sampling tabs, and in some cases flow control valves and scales were not present. All community water systems were struggling to cope with insufficient revenues from their unusually low tariff. Using a Comprehensive Performance Evaluation approach, the research indicates that management is a critical factor in all the systems and that plant optimization can be achieved through improved management, without substantial increases in financial investment. |
| Year | 2013 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thammarat Koottatep; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chongrak Polprasert;Mische, Nikolaus;Irvine, Kimberly Niel; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Research report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2013 |