Status:
Complete
Location:
Bangkok - Thailand
Region:
Asia
Total cost:
USD $0
Duration:
1 year 11 months
Start:
28 February 2007
End:
31 January 2009
Working Areas
Operation & Maintenance
Sanitation & Hygiene Services
Organizations Involved
Provincial Waterworks Authority Thailand — Lead Mentee
Ranhill Utilities Berhad — Lead Mentor
WaterLinks
Broker
SDGs
6.2Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all
Project description
PWA is working to strengthen its water quality management program and to help optimize its water treatment processes
Project main objectives
to improve water quality for residents in Nakorn Nayok Province. Public health in the region is potentially at risk due to irregular turbidity and high manganese levels in the water supply; PWA is working to strengthen its water quality management program and to help optimize its water treatment processes in the Nakorn Nayok Waterworks under the water safety plan (WSP) framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Ranhill will help PWA staff in Nakorn Nayok optimize water treatment operations and strengthen water quality management processes, such as water sampling, record-keeping, and pipeline chlorine residual maintenance.
Most significant results
Describe WOPs activities
November 2007:
PWA prioritized water quality management and exposure to non-conventional water treatment technologies, as new topics for the twinning program after the NRW management improvement focus. USAID introduced the WHO Water Safety Plan (WSP) framework and recommended activities to improve water quality and water treatment fall under the WSP framework, and be limited to one pilot waterwork encountering critical water quality issues.

February 2008:
Following several discussions with USAID, PWA selected the Nakorn Nayok waterwork as the pilot location for improving water quality management and treatment process. The Nakorn Nayok waterwork faces high influent Manganese levels and, in reaction, has had to lower chlorine feed into the treated water to minimize water supply discoloration. As a result, residual chlorine levels remain inconsistent especially in the outer distribution network.

April 2008:
Facilitated by USAID, five senior water quality and engineering managers, including one overseeing the Nakorn Nayok waterwork, attended a 5-day training course in Singapore on developing a Water Safety Plan. WHO, International Water Association and the Public Utilities Board of Singapore co-sponsored the training and included practical applications of water quality management in Singapore. Ranhill Utlities Berhad, the only utility in Asia belonging to the Bonn Network of Water Quality Professionals, attended the training and interacted with PWA.

July 2008:
Two Ranhill operation managers undertook preliminary assessment of the Nakorn Nayok waterworks, interacting with its operations staff and understanding its water production and distribution processes. Upon observing the raw water source, treatment plant processes, distribution lines, and current water sampling and recording practices, they provided a list of recommendations and action items for input into the joint twinning work plan. Ranhill and PWA sign Memorandum of Understanding to partner and implement the joint work plan. Ranhill agreed to proved technical assistance on improving water quality management with the Nakorn Nayok waterworks as a pilot. Activities will include sharing of best practices and training on water sampling procedures, data analysis, treatment system optimization, and residual chlorine maintenance. PWA agreed to make necessary capital and human investments to ensure safe water quality for its customers.

August 2008:
A Ranhill water quality expert assessed in detail the Nakorn Nayok water treatment operations, especially chemical mixing, flocculation, chlorination, and water sampling and recording. The expert also trained operations staff on developing standard procedures for proper water sampling and recording and on optimum chemical dosing and application to address high Manganese in raw water.

October 2008:
As part of the agreed twinning program, 38 PWA operations and engineering staff visited Ranhill operations in AMATA Industrial Estate (nearby Bangkok) to observe non-conventional water treatment technologies in operation, such as Dissolved Air Floatation and Reverse Osmosis. Following the site visit, Ranhill conducted training on each technology’s design parameters, operations, maintenance requirements, and projected investments and rate of return.

November 2008:
PWA drafted a Water Safety Plan for Nakorn Nayok waterwork and began implementing actions to address key hazards in line with the Ranhill recommendations on treatment optimization. PWA also developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) on water sampling and recording based on Ranhill’s forms and training.

January 2009:
Six PWA staff from water quality and engineering departments participated in a technical visit to Ranhill operations. The delegates visited five treatment plants, two using innovative technologies, and Ranhill’s ISO-certified water quality laboratory. Ranhill showcased best practices on water quality management systems, reporting of customer complaints on water quality, and technical design of innovative treatment technologies. Ranhill and PWA also exchanged their water safety plans for peer review.