System and Mechanism Development by Participation of Community nearby Mae Moh Power Plant in Water Supply Provision for Agriculture and Consumption

Abstract

This research project was conducted in Ban Dong Sub-district, Mae Moh District, Lampang Province. Three main objectives of the research were to co-investigate present situation and identify local water provision problems for agriculture and consumption with sufficient quantity and quality, to develop community participatory system and mechanism for such provision, and to find the appropriate roles in sustainable water management. It was found that the community had suffered from to water shortage for agriculture and low water quality for human consumption. The problems were lighter in the upper zone of Ban Dong Sub-district where there had been well-cared forest preservation and regulation for upstream water shed for Mae Moh water basin. The water resource was considerably sufficient and clean in the upstream area and water shortage was caused by the lack of effective community participatory roles to manage integrated solutions to raw water preparation and distribution to the community thoroughly. The research by Participatory Action Research (PAR) led to mutual understanding and realization of realistic benefit to the community, namely, 1. Establishment of the water management working committee at the sub-district/community level. 2. Drafting of a water resource management regulation to be proposed to Ban Dong Sub-district Administrative Council. 3. Surveying and mapping coordinates of 44 water resources. Two pilot projects were launched, namely, a slow sand filter treatment system at Ban Cham Pui – Huay Tard, and a water management system at paddy level at Ban Suan Pa Mae Moh. The research result could help the community understand their problems and create their own solutions. Saving cost and simply suitable to sustainability development, including the use of slow sand filtering system for drinking water and maintenance operation for village water supply system. PAR activities could be learnt and transferred to other villages around Mae Moh Sub-district so that villagers could achieve sustainable development mainly on their own.