Research Unit
Water Management System
Water Resources Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering
Chulalongkorn University

Background

The rapid development of urban areas following the government’s economic and social development plans has caused unprecedented problems in several communities in Thailand, including Bangkok. Among the frequently-found difficulties are the lack of water for general usage and consumption, the imbalanced water allocation for the residential and agricultural areas, the mass usage of underground water which leads to the land collapse, the frequent floods and failure in water drainage system, as well as the ineffective waste water management. These obstacles not only cause inconvenience for parties involved, but also bring about environmental problems in the areas.

Problem Solutions

Many relevant governmental agencies have been working on solving the water-related problems caused by rapid expansions in the communities, but due to the dynamic and constant changes of each problem, the state sector has yet to overcome these obstacles. At the same time, similar symptoms tend to grow larger and spread to the nearby communities.

To solve the problems at their roots, the Water Resources Engineering Department has stepped in to improve the water management system, which will be the key to disentangle the intertwined water-related problems, from water shortage, floods, waste water and underground water management. By tackling the problems at the starting point, researchers at the Department believe the water system in Thailand will be better planned with high-technology equipments, which will prevent further damages from the chronic troubles.

Since its inception, the Department has conducted a series of studies and many local and international seminars concerning surface and underground water resources development, as well as flood prevention and water drainage system.

However, most of the activities conducted in the past had yet to form a solid continuation and connection among relevant agencies inside and outside of the university, both domestically and internationally.

With the establishment of the Research Unit, financially supported by the University, the studies on water-related subjects have been in progress with steadfast continuance. Moreover, research staff can better coordinate with relevant agencies inside and outside of the campus, and this yields successful results in several projects, for example, the joint collaboration between the Research Unit and the Federations of Thai Industries in requesting the government to revise its policy to shut down underground water resources in 2003, and the participation of research staff in the committee of many governmental projects.

Furthermore, the Unit staff have attended workshops and training on relevant topics, such as Arc View and SPSS programs and other information technology courses, in order to boost their knowledge and skills. The Unit also constantly organize internal trainings for its staff to sharpen their understanding.

Objectives

1. To serve as a research center on water resource management

2. To serve as a technology center on hydrological forecast, analysis, and data connection

3. To serve as a database development and geological information technology center for water resource management

4. To serve as an information distribution and exchange forum regarding water resource management techniques and studies among local and international agencies

Goals

1. The Unit aims at collecting relevant information and documents, including maps, meteorological and hydrological information, facts on underground water resources, studies on flood prevention and drainage system, waste water drainage system, water arrangement and management, related agencies and regulations . These information are to become the main database, dubbed “the Water Database List in Thailand”, for future research and studies.

2. The Unit plans to collect studies and research on water management in Thailand and overseas and will include them in the “Water Database List in Thailand”.

3. The Unit aims at spearheading research projects to develop and support the water resource management in river basin areas, remote, and urban areas, with the concentration on problems in the central region of Thailand due to the complexity of the problems and the region’s significance to the country’s overall economy.

4. The Unit hopes to serve the public with its expertise and knowledge in water management, water shortage, flood prevention, surface and underground water allocation, as well as the training of local staff.

5. The Unit plans to distribute its compilation of research and studies to the public, and to conduct studies so that relevant agencies or interested communities can adapt the results to improve their resources. The goal can be achieved via publication, seminars and exhibitions.

6. The Unit aims to serve as a mediator among agencies, domestically and overseas, in conducting a study on certain subjects, so that the information can be shared and reviewed among research peers. This will also bring about a better understanding the magnitude of local problems, and how to solve them.

Contact:

(update 2/02/49)