Enhancing Groundwater Knowledge: WEM Students Visit Key Water Supply Project in Suphan Buri
In a collaborative effort between the Water Engineering and Management (WEM) Program of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Thailand, a half-day field visit was successfully organized on March 26 to Si Prachan District, Suphan Buri Province. Fifteen master’s students from the WEM program, accompanied by faculty and staff, participated in the visit to gain practical exposure to a large-scale groundwater supply system. This initiative supplemented their classroom learning with real-world insights into groundwater resource management.
Pic: AIT, DGR, and BGR Region 2 teams at the project site
The groundwater supply system, developed by DGR in coordination with the Bureau of Groundwater Resources (BGR), Region 2, Suphan Buri, is a vital project that provides drinking water to approximately 1,500 households in Wang Wa and Ban Krang sub-districts. The AIT delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Tanongsak Lochoosakul, Director of the BGR Region 2 Office, and Mr. Baramee Teangtam, Mayor of Ban Krang Sub-District, along with DGR representatives and staff from the BGR Region 2 Office. In their opening remarks, Mr. Lochoosakul and Mr. Teangtam expressed their appreciation for AIT and DGR’s efforts in facilitating this knowledge-sharing opportunity. Mr. Lochoosakul also provided an overview of the project and its significance in addressing the sub-district’s water security challenges.
Pic: Mayor of Ban Krang Sub-District welcoming AIT students to the project site
Pic: Director of the BGR Region 2 Office delivering opening remarks and providing a brief overview of the project
With limitations in surface water availability from the Tha Chin River, the development of this groundwater project has been crucial in securing a reliable water source for local communities. The system extracts high-quality groundwater from a depth of 300 meters and was drilled using the advanced Reverse Circulation (RC) and Direct Circulation (DC) techniques. Its infrastructure includes production wells, cylindrical storage tanks, a pressurized overhead tank, pumps, and filtration systems, ensuring efficient water distribution.
Pic: WEM students learning about the various components of the project
During the visit, students gained valuable insights into groundwater potential assessment, site investigations, and system development. Experts from DGR, BGR, and drilling contractors conducted live demonstrations and interactive discussions, providing students with a deeper understanding of groundwater management strategies.
The visit concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Mohana Sundaram Shanmugam, Program Chair of the WEM Program, who expressed gratitude to DGR, BGR officials, and municipal representatives for their support. He emphasized the value of field-based learning experiences and reaffirmed AIT’s commitment to continued collaboration with DGR on research and development in groundwater sustainability.
Pic: Demonstration of community water taps supplied by the project
This field visit is part of a longstanding partnership between AIT and DGR, with previous joint research efforts contributing to advancements in groundwater management in Thailand. Such real-world learning opportunities not only enhance students’ technical knowledge but also reinforce AIT’s dedication to sustainability and water security solutions.
