Reporters:
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattapon Kaewthong
Asst. Prof. Chayanat Buathongkua
Asst. Prof. Tanakorn Inthasuth
Ms. Sayamon Buddhamongkol
Ms. Duanrung Chooyruang
Evidence Date: 1 April 2024
Related SDGs:
Related Indicator: 13.3.4
Details:
On April 1, 2024, the Water Management Research Team from the Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) was invited by the executives, council president, and administrators of the Khlong Ree Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Sathing Phra District, Songkhla Province, to assess the salinity situation in Songkhla Lake. The rising salinity—now exceeding 2 parts per thousand (ppt)—has begun to significantly impact the Sathing Phra Peninsula, particularly the availability of domestic water resources. This year’s monitoring and assessment efforts were conducted with cooperation from multiple stakeholders, especially community innovators under the project “Scaling Up Water Management Innovation for Rice and Shrimp Farmers in the Songkhla Lake Basin.” These innovators play a key role in tracking and reporting water salinity levels and applying specific water management guidelines: when salinity levels are ≤ 1.5 ppt, water is pumped in for storage; when levels exceed 1.5 ppt, pumping operations are immediately suspended to prevent adverse impacts on agriculture and local water use. The data gathered by community innovators are being used to support the District Disaster Relief Committee’s decision-making regarding disaster declarations. This represents a tangible example of how academic research is being applied in real-world local water management. The project is supported by the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) and RUTS, emphasizing the role of universities and researchers as local think tanks that integrate knowledge, data, and appropriate technology to promote sustainable water resource management and community-level climate adaptation.
Related Links:
