V. City Report

Khon Kaen (Thailand)

Mr. Yinchai Arnanthanasakun
Director
Sanitary Works Division Khon Kaen Municipality

Khon Kaen Municipality is in the northeastern region of Thailand, in the Muang District of Khon Kaen Province. It covers 46 square kilometers. Major industries include fishing, food processing, and the noodle industry. The mayor and city council are elected by the people.

The municipality's revenue sources include taxes, share and charges, property income, fee and handling charges, and miscellaneous income. It also receives a national government subsidy, which is about 41 percent of the total revenue of the city.

The city can assess property and land taxes, local maintenance taxes, sign board taxes, and slaughter permission taxes.

In 2003 the city had 358,901 344 (Thai baht) in revenues, and 371,656, 824 in expenses.

Major problems facing the city include solid waste management, sewerage service, domestic wastewater, low-income housing supply, and the residential environment in slum areas.

Regarding solid waste management, the existing landfill will be full in the next few years and must be closed, and there is no available land either to expand or construct a new landfill. Regarding the sewage service, it reaches only 60 percent of the municipal area.

The water supply is drawn from the Nam Pong River, from four reservoirs, and from a well and a canal. Residences use 72 percent of the water, with almost all the rest going to industry. In 2000, 53,600 people received municipal water, a number expected to rise to about 85,000 by 2010. The city treats 74,500 cubic meters of water per day, close to the system capacity.

The Provincial Water Authority (PWA) has planned to expand its water supply to meet the demands arising due to an increasing population and urbanization. The goal of water production is 150,000 cubic meters per day. The implementation plan is divided into two phases. Phase 1, including an improvement and expansion of the present facilities at Ban Kota Village to 75,000 cubic meters per day, will be conducted in 2010. Phase 2, including the construction of a new facility as well as renovation of the former plant to increase the capacity to 150,000 cubic meters per day, will be implemented when the water supply situation reaches a deficiency.

For all categories of users, water supply service rates increase as consumption increases.

The sewage system serves about 90,000 people, or about 69 percent of the population. The average amount of sewage treated is 45,000 cubic meters per day. Wastewater and stormwater are combined in one system.

In 1993, due to the continued population increase, wastewater generated in Khon Kaen Municipality increased beyond 46,000 cubic meters per day, higher than the capacity of the former treatment plant. The municipality then formulated a master plan for wastewater management, divided into three phases.

Phase 1: Included the construction of a drainage system, main sewage system and a treatment plant at Bueng Thungsang. The system covers 70 percent of the municipal area. It has a potential capacity of 78,000 cubic meters per day. Construction was from 1998 to 2002, and the plant is operational today.

Phase 2: Includes the expansion of the drainage system and sewage system to increase the coverage area within the municipality. This is planned for 2005 to 2008.

Phase 3: Includes the expansion of the drainage and sewage systems through the entire municipality and adjacent areas. Construction will be 2011-2013.

Khon Kaen University is also constructing a waste stabilization pond with a 10,000 cubic meter per day capacity, to treat sewage generated at the university.

Collection of service charges for sewage service has not begun yet. However, the municipality has a plan to begin collecting charges as follows:

2005 - large and medium enterprises
2010 - all residents

The municipality also is looking at innovative ways of dealing with water and waste issues. One is to establish a community garbage bank, and personal garbage banks as well. Residents would obtain garbage bags with ID numbers, and take them to a collection center monthly. This would serve recyclable materials.

PERSONAL GARBAGE BANK
Recycle Business Company will collect the recyclable garbage and will transfer the money made from selling garbage directly to the members' bank account

We are working to provide information on water conservation to women, who typically run the home in Thailand. We provide TV broadcasts in the late morning and afternoon to reach these residents. We regularly inform people of the facts about expenses, rates, and how to reduce use of water and the release of wastewater. We want them to understand and accept PPP - the Polluters Pay Principle.

Another public relations program is to acknowledge a "Water Saving Family of the Month."