Policy on Water Management Measures, 2023

Khon Kaen University Announcement
No. 2285/2566
Subject: Water Management Measures, 2023
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        Khon Kaen University offers instruction, research work, and academic services that are related to the sciences and to technology, the humanities and social sciences, the health sciences, and medical services – all of which are important elements in the production of graduates, who hold degrees in the fields that are consistent with social requirements. The University also seeks to enhance the development of human resources by providing knowledge, ethics, and morality, as well as bestowing graduates with a sense of public-mindedness and a consciousness of social responsibility. The goal of the University is to provide sustainable development and social dedication that is based on acquiring knowledge and fostering an understanding of the principles of conservation and the restoration of natural resources and environment. All of these are viable goals that can be reached through the participation of the University’s personnel and students and are goals that can respond to the changing climatic conditions.
        Water is an essential element for life. In order to ensure that water usage can be more efficient, that the water is of good quality, that the amount is adequate for all activities, and that it corresponds to the present trends and conditions of the country, in which the amount of rainwater fluctuates every year until a crisis of drought arises; water use management and control must be carried out so that losses can be prevented in all sectors of the University. The sewage water should also be controlled, treated, and recycled in order to obtain optimal benefits. Thus, Khon Kaen University has set measures, which can be intensively and continuously implemented in order to achieve efficiency in the area of water management and administration.
        By virtue of Section 37(1) of the Khon Kaen University Act, B.E. 2558 (2015), the Khon Kaen University Announcement on the Subject of Water Management Measures (2023) was issued with the following details:
        1. Measures for the Management of Raw Water
        Khon Kaen University holds the duty to regulate the key water resources, namely, Ban Kotha Reservoir and the Plastic Reservoir, which are the two resources that serve the water works of Khon Kaen University. In addition, the University receives water distribution from the Nongwai Water Maintenance and Supply Project, through an irrigational canal. The measures to be observed are as follows:
        (1) The University will regularly carry out work by checking, repairing, and maintaining the materials and equipment, as well as the machinery and the
construction. Other work will also include controlling and measuring the equipment of the University’s raw water pumping system so that raw water can be efficiently and continuously pumped.
        (2) The University will carry out work by checking, repairing, and maintaining the main supply pipe, by measuring the meters, and by maintaining the water gate of the raw water distribution system so that all aspects can remain in good condition, without any places of seepage, crevices, or damages.
        (3) The University will regularly carry out work by checking on the quality of the raw water at all the water retention resources in order to control water quality and to check on the over usage of chemicals to improve water quality.
        (4) The University will produce a database about the raw water in order to follow up on the situation of the amount of raw water, to assess any risks, and to determine any critical situation pertaining to the amount of raw water that may lead to a shortage of raw water for the waterworks system.
        (5) In case a water shortage from the upstream source and/or a shortage of raw water in the water reservation sources, namely, Ban Kotha Reservoir and the Plastic Reservoir, are found to be at a critical level; the University will immediately issue a University Announcement with a set of measures, which can be used to manage the shortage situation.
        2. Measures for Tap Water Use
        (1) The University will regularly carry out work by checking, repairing, and maintaining the materials and equipment, the machinery, the motors, and construction, as well as by controlling and measuring the equipment for the production and distribution of the waterworks system of the University to ensure the efficiency of the work and the continuous pumping of raw water.
        (2) The University will carry out work by checking, repairing, and maintaining the main distribution pipe, the meters, and the water gate of the waterworks distribution system so that they are in good condition without any places of seepage, crevices, or damage.
        (3) In order to reduce the loss of water, the University will carry out work by checking, repairing, and maintaining the sanitary ware, valves, water meters, and materials and equipment that are found to have seepage or are found not to function, within the areas under the responsibility of the University’s central management for efficiency of water use at all times. Should any damage be found, immediate repairs will be undertaken.
        (4) The University will regularly carry out work by checking the quality of the tap water that is being supplied to consumers and will control the quality of the tap water according to the tap water standard of the Regional Water Works Authority.
        3. Measures for Management of Waste Water
        (1) The University will carry out work to control the waste water treatment system, and will analyze the quality of the sewage before and after treatment in order to meet the standard of waste water quality Type A, which is in accordance with the Announcement of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the subject of “Setting Control Standard over Sewage Water from Certain Types of Buildings and Sizes” (2005).
        (2) The University will carry out work by checking, repairing, and maintaining the sewage piping system, the construction, the sewage pumps, and the equipment in the sewage treatment system so that they remain in good condition. If any piece of equipment or machine is damaged, repair work will be carried out as quickly as possible so that operations can resume.
        (3) The University will analyze the quality of the water in the University’s water resources and in the sewage outside in order to detect any contamination. Should any contaminants be found, the University will undertake an immediate solution.
        (4) The University will carry out work by checking, repairing, and maintaining the discharge piping system of the effluent so that the system remains in good condition with no seepage or damage. In addition, more discharge pipes that carry the effluent will be installed to cover all gardens, sports grounds, and cultivation plots.
        4. Measures for the Management of Surface Runoff
        (1) The University will set plans for the management of water on campus so that there will be no discharge of untreated sewage into the rainwater collection system and the natural water resources.
        (2) The University will develop and conserve the water resources on campus so that water can be retained during the rainy season for use during the dry season.
        (3) The University will continually monitor the quality of the water resources.
        5. Measures over Water Consumers
        (1) All faculties and divisions are to manage and administer water consumption in accordance with this Announcement.
        (2) All faculties and divisions are to select and efficiently use equipment and sanitary ware, and to procure materials and equipment that save water consumption or are to set policies that can nurture the environment and water sources.
        (3) All faculties and divisions are to carry out checks of their water work systems by conducting investigations, by installing their meters to make certain that they are functioning well, and by maintaining or repairing the systems in order to prevent leakages and the loss of tap water. These checks should also be carried out on a regular basis.
        (4) All faculties and divisions are to use water from the natural water retention wells and from treated sewage for their gardens, sports grounds and cultivation plots, instead of using raw water and/or tap water.
        (5) In order to prevent contamination in the brooks, canals, or water resources on campus, all faculties and divisions are to reduce or avoid the use of chemicals, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.
        (6) All faculties and divisions are prohibited from discharging sewage from the buildings directly into the surface runoff system without undergoing treatment or using a grease trap system. Each building’s sewage system should be connected to the University’s sewage collection system.
        (7) All faculties and divisions are to regularly carry out a check of the functions of the equipment and machines used in their sewage treatment systems. Should any pieces of equipment or machines be found to function improperly or to be damaged, repairs should be carried out quickly so that operations can resume.
        (8) All faculties and divisions are to set an annual target for saving tap water consumption and shall do so by communicating with their personnel and students until they understand and can correctly and appropriately practice the procedures.
        (9) All faculties and divisions are to carry out campaigns and promotions among the personnel and students so that their water use behaviors can be improved through saving and efficient consuming of water.

Issued as of October 6, 2023.

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D.
President