Metropolitan Waterworks Authority’s Watershed Forest Preservation
Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA)
INTRODUCTION
MWA is an organisation whose primary purpose is to produce qualified tap water suitable for consumption from natural raw water resources and to provide supply water services for more than two million households in the metropolitan area. MWA is under the Royal Initiative of His Majesty the late King Rama IX to act as a guideline for the operation. According to King Rama IX speech’s about solving water source problems is to increase forest areas and building check dams to protect the water source environment and preserve forests and soil to maintain a balanced ecosystem.The ‘Metropolitan Waterworks Authority’s Watershed Forest Preservation’ project consists of 3 main activities as follows:
1. Building check dams
2. Planting trees, and vetiver grass
3. Community development activities (Establishing a water supply system)
FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY
As MWA is aware of the value of limited water resources, MWA prioritise the integrated conservation of watershed forests, natural water resources and natural resources. Therefore, MWA established water resource and environmental restoration and conservation integrated projects for sustainability to restore integrity, keeping the soil moist for longer period during the dry season.The main objectives of this project are;
1. To follow the Royal Initiative of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
2. To increase forest areas, reconstruct watershed forest, preserve upstream forests and participation between communities and MWA employees
3. To help alleviate flood and drought
4. To build good relations with the public sector, private sector and local communities for future cooperation
5. To proactively conserve watershed forests in order to have a sufficient and sustainable raw water source
ACHIEVEMENT AND IMPACT
From 2017 – 2019, MWA has planted more than 49,000 trees, planting more than 300,000 vetiver grasses, increasing the area of watershed forest for 218 Rai (348,800 square meters). The project also consists of building water supply system in 8 communities. Furthermore, 11 check dams activities collaboration of building 1,263 check dams is organised. This project supports Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG6): Clean Water and Sanitation.The qualitative result obtained from the project is water conservation network with local government agencies, private organisations and civil society groups which has become cooperation volunteer with MWA in raising awareness about helping society and water resources conservation.
Due to this project, MWA awarded with the Best Practice award in water resource management and Honorable mention for Water Management for consumption by Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) at 2019.
FUTURE DIRECTION
This project is an ongoing plan from The Watershed Forest Conservation Project to honour His Majesty the King. The project consists of 3 activities: building check dams, planting forests and developing schools in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province. ‘Metropolitan Waterworks Authority’s Watershed Forest Preservation’ is an extension in the area of Nan province.MWA realises the importance of natural resources, which is the source of water used in the water supply production. The natural resources conservation plan must implement regularly; therefore, this project has planned to be accomplished until 2022 and expected to continue. It is a part of creating a balanced natural ecosystem for entire sustainability.
Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) is a state enterprise under the
Ministry of Interior, Thailand. MWA started its operation on 16 August
1967 under the Metropolitan Waterworks Act B.E. 2510 (AD 1967) with
an obligation to provide raw water sources for waterworks activities,
including producing, distributing and selling treated water in Bangkok -
Nonthaburi - Samuthprakan, and running other businesses related or
beneficial to the waterworks.
