Please note that this is an on-going project.
Project Description
Thailand faces challenges with managing water quality in many of its reservoirs due to pressure from agricultural, domestic, and industrial pollution coupled with urbanization, increasing demand and climate change. RID has requested for Australian expertise to gain knowledge and strategies to monitor, prevent and decrease water quality impacts. The technical support includes contributing to water quality monitoring manuals for case study areas, support in building capacity through targeted training in Thailand, and an exchange visit to Australia (depending on travel restrictions). The objectives of the activity are to:
1. Exchange knowledge, experiences and standard methodologies of reservoir water quality management between Australian partners and the RID Water Quality team; and
2. Develop a manual for implementation strategies and guidelines on reservoir water quality monitoring, and eutrophication prevention and mitigation in Thailand.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Griffith and CSIRO water experts, providing the training courses and advice. Local Thai RID staff, receiving the training and applying the recommendations.
Outcomes to Date
Two training courses (including GEDSI and climate change components) in Thailand and one visit to Australia by Thai RID experts was delivered. A water quality index was developed for Thai reservoirs and recommendations for improved water quality monitoring and management activities were delivered.
Project Significance
The main project goal, i.e. better monitoring and management of water quality, relates directly to SDG6. It also contributed to gender equality (SDG 5), by providing training sessions on GEDSI. The course has a strong staff training component, thus also partially addressing SDG 4. and also contributing to economic growth (by better management of a critical resource such as water) of a developing country (SDG 8), also helping reduce inequality, in relation to water management, between developed countries such as Australia (providing the training) and a developing country (Thailand), which links to SDG10. We also provided training and modelling related to climate change impacts on water resources (SDG 13).