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Preliminary Study of Using Water Accounting Framework for Wastewater Utilization: Case Study in SamutprakarnProvince, Thailand |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | 1. Tanika Tingsa 2. Yanasinee Suma 3. Nittaya Pasukphun |
| Title | Preliminary Study of Using Water Accounting Framework for Wastewater Utilization: Case Study in SamutprakarnProvince, Thailand |
| Publisher | Thai Society of Higher Education Institutes on Environment |
| Publication Year | 2567 |
| Journal Title | EnvironmentAsia |
| Journal Vol. | 17 |
| Journal No. | 1 |
| Page no. | 14-28 |
| Keyword | Water accounting, Water management, Wastewater utilization, Water reuse |
| URL Website | http://www.tshe.org/ea/index.html |
| Website title | EnvironmentAsia |
| ISSN | 1906-1714 |
| Abstract | The availability of water resources for economic purposes has declined because of increasing demands for water. This situation is also worsened by climate change and more stringent environmental regulations. Water scarcity and the increasing volume of wastewater resulting from better sewerage systems and wastewater treatment have given rise to opportunities for previously untapped wastewater reuse and recycling. In light of challenges in water resource planning and management, water accounting has emerged as a suitable method to enhance transparency and control in water management. This research focused on using water accounting as a tool for water management and emphasized the utilization of wastewater at the provincial level. Samut Prakan Province in Thailand was chosen as the study area according to its diverse range of activities, including residential areas, industrial zones, commercial sectors, paddy fields, and freshwater and coastal aquaculture. The results of water accounting in Samut Prakan from the 20 years of annual means (1999 - 2019) showed that the main water supply source of the study area was the Chao Phraya River. The gross inflow in the study area was 1,738.06 million cubic meters (MCM)/year. The inflow consisted of 1541.30 MCM/year of rainfall, 195.00 MCM/year of runoff (river and canals), and 1.76 MCM/year of subsurface water or groundwater. The total amount of the treated wastewater was 974.47 MCM/year. To incorporate wastewater into water accounts for the purpose of water reuse, the total cost of wastewater treatment and the total cost of municipal water supply production and provision were compared. The total cost of wastewater treatment was 4.83 Baht/m? (? 0.134 USD) and the total cost of municipal water supply production and provision was 0.97 Baht/m? (? 0.027 USD). The study found that wastewater could be added into water accounts due to the significant volume of wastewater available for reuse or recycling, which could provide higher returns on investments in water and sanitation. However, treating wastewater for reuse was more costly than producing municipal water. Nevertheless, wastewater reuse can contribute to environmental and health benefits. Furthermore, water accounting can provide essential information for addressing issues related to water demand and utilization, benefiting those responsible for water governance and management. It can play an important role in facilitating decision-making, problem recognition, solution design, implementation, monitoring, and adaptation, ultimately promoting sustainability and equity in water utilization. |
