CHIANG RAI – The Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), led by the National Nanotechnology Center, partnered with the Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization, Chiang Rai Provincial Public Health Office, and has formally signed a collaboration to upgrade water quality using science and technology.
The project focuses on the Kok River basin, positioning Chiang Rai as a model area by bringing in innovative solutions for removing turbidity and arsenic from village water supply systems. This initiative aims to meet Department of Health water standards, starting with Ban Rim Kok in Mae Yao Subdistrict and Ban Muang Ngim in Rim Kok Subdistrict, serving over 900 households.
The goal is to provide clean, safe water for daily use, with NSTDA representatives, Chiang Rai provincial leaders, and many witnesses attending the signing ceremony.
Dr. Urasa Rakstananontchai, Director of the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), NSTDA, mentioned that Chiang Rai has been chosen for its collaborative approach in managing community water, addressing ongoing water quality issues.
NANOTEC has worked with local agencies to improve environmental management, focusing on water quality monitoring and improvement.
These activities fall under the Integrated Water Resource Management Plan for 2023-2025, with financial support from the National Research Council of Thailand for projects linked to the national strategy on science, research, and innovation for the 2025 budget year.
“This partnership aims to bring innovation to raise the quality standards of village water supply systems managed by local authorities. The goal is to increase access to clean, standard-compliant drinking water, encourage local communities to test and improve water quality themselves, and support water users to manage daily water needs using research-based innovations developed by NANOTEC and NSTDA.
Together, we are working to solve water quality challenges for communities in Chiang Rai, especially those in the Kok River basin that face significant environmental issues,” Dr. Urasa said.
The project, titled “Capacity Building for Water Resource Management Using Science, Technology, and Innovation to Raise Standards in Community Water Supply Systems,” marks the start of coordinated action among public service providers, focusing on access to safe water for communities in Chiang Rai.
Dr. Nattaporn Pimpa, Director of the Nano Catalysis, Adsorption, and Simulation Research Group (NCAS) at NANOTEC and the project lead, explained that the project brings together research and technology to address problems with raw water sources, such as turbidity, arsenic, and heavy metals. The key is choosing technology that suits local needs, with strong community participation for long-term results.
The project covers the full process, starting with methods to remove turbidity and assess the right level of coagulant. New tools include portable turbidity meters, double-speed magnetic stirrers for field jar testing, websites to calculate needed chemicals for village water supply, and portable field sensors (M Sense).
The team has also tested affordable local filter materials, such as activated carbon, animal bone char, macadamia shell charcoal, and bamboo charcoal, modified for arsenic adsorption and adapted for use in real-world filter tanks.
“This collaboration will see NANOTEC working closely with partners like the National Water Resources Office, Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization, Chiang Rai Provincial Public Health Office, the Department of Local Administration Promotion, and the National Research Council of Thailand.
We have started pilot projects in Mae Yao and Rim Kok subdistricts to upgrade village water systems to be clean, safe, and meet standards, aiming for sustainable improvement in the quality of life for people living along the Kok River,” said Dr. Nattaporn.
Pacharee Suwanniga, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Water Resources Office, noted that water is essential for all sectors. Her agency oversees water resource policy and promotes partnerships and good governance.
The National Water Resources Office has taken steps to tackle issues in the Kok River basin, looking at both large-scale problems (such as those arising from international borders and their effects on water quality) and smaller issues (helping people access clean water).
“Today, all partners, including our office, will work together to build better management of water resources and develop safe, standard-compliant water supply systems for communities. We hope that local authorities will soon adopt these models to enhance their own water systems, benefiting their communities well into the future,” Pacharee said.
