ปัญหาในการจัดการน้ำเน่าเสียคลองแม่ข่า ของเทศบาลนครเชียงใหม่

Abstract

This study on “Problems with Water Pollution Management in Klong Mae Kha Canal of Chiang Mai Municipality” has objectives to: 1) study and explain solutions for solving water pollution problems in Klong Mae Kha of Chiang Mai Municipality from 2010 until now; 2) analyze problems occurring due to the water pollution management; 3) study impacts on the communities near Klong Mae Kha from the water pollution management. To achieve these objectives, a qualitative research method was applied by collecting secondary data from available documents and primary data from field measurement and participant observation. The 37 participants were from 5 main groups of stakeholders. Document analysis and descriptive analysis were conducted with the collected data to obtain informative results. The results from studying characteristics of the problems occurring from water pollution management in Klong Mae Kha of Chiang Mai Municipality revealed that, generally, the problems in these following aspects are needed to be solved urgently. 1) The water quality is in trouble. Wastewater treatment ponds should be checked. The canal should be dredged. Pipes collecting wastewater should be installed. 2) There is encroachment near the canal’s banks that need to be investigated. Negotiations are needed to demarcate clear boundaries. 3) The unattractive landscape needs to be improved by using resources in the area properly. Also, local operators were found to still have no freedom and capacity that allow them to solve the water pollution problems efficiently. Insufficiency of budget for the local operations is a major cause, as well as the lack of systematic and continuous management. The local communities were also found to have inadequate awareness in taking care of the canal. Politicians seem to take no action against villagers that intrude the canal and cause problems in order to maintain their political base. Due to these causes, people in the communities, especially farmers, face problems of flood in the rainy season and water shortage in the dry season. As wastewater keeps being drained to this major canal of the city, the tourism image of Chiang Mai is also affected badly. Hence, it is recommended from the results of this study that: 1) a monitoring committee in each community near Klong Mae Kha should be established with specific and clear roles; 2) public issues shall never be used as a political base, since this would result in negligence on unlawful acts; 3) the problem regarding shortage of water coming from other streams should be considered and investigated; 4) since the problems become more severe because the local people are lack of intention to participate in protecting and maintaining the canal, organizations in charge should raise awareness to the people and make them perceive importance of their local resources; and 5) landscape adjustment along both canal banks should be considered and promoted. By implementing these solutions, the resources and the communities would be sustained, the area would become a historical and cultural tourist attraction, and the local economy would be developed in a sustainable manner.