Abstract:
An investigation to solve water shortage problems in rural schools in the North- Eastern region of Thailand was carried out. Preliminary data on the general conditions of the area, schools, water consumption, water shortages, and rainfall, including previous studies on the problem, were collected and studied for planning. Field surveys were conducted on selected schools in the area to establish the causes and the seriousness of the problem, including collecting some basic data on the existing quantity and quality of water supply. It was shown by the results of the surveys that the water shortages in those schools could be solved by providing adequate roof area and storage tanks to collect and store rainwater, and by maintaining the quality of the stored water. Based on the water balance principle, rainfall data in the North- Eastern region were used to determine the sizes of the catchment area and the storage required for any given number of students. Manuals for systematic checking of the adequacy of the rainfall water supply and for planning of storage facilities to overcome water shortage problems was prepared to be used by the planning authority. Methods for looking after the water storage tanks and for maintaining good quality stored water, which could be easiIy carried out by the schools, were outlined.