BAN SALADIN

The village of Ban Saladin in Nakhon Pathom province once seriously suffered from water problems of flood, drought, waste, and brackish water. Thick mats of water hyacinth blocked water flow and air-water interface, turning the water putrid and toxic.

Ban Saladin community used SEP inclusive decision-making to identify the problems and pool resources to clean up the waterways together. They were supported by Utokapat Foundation and the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII) which provided the community with scientific knowledge and technology to collect area-based data and for mapping, as tools for analysis towards prompt solutions for managing and planning their water resources.

In addition, with partners including the Royal Thai Army and local government, the community efforts included comprehensive dredging of canals and linking the surrounding canals. Innovations introduced into the water treatment system included the use of solar aerators to add oxygen into the waterways, community-wide use of household grease traps, and systematic water quality monitoring by the youth in the local area.

The water problem is now history. Ban Saladin has become a life museum of CWRM following His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s initiatives. So far, more than 500 villages nationwide have adopted the Ban Saladin model by using SEP inclusive CWRM framework and appropriate technology and innovations to tackle their own problems.