Bangkok and the surrounding area have a network of canals or lchlongs, which over the
past decades have been in serious decline. The network of channels covers hundreds of
square kilometres, linking the Chao Phraya with the neighbouring river Tha Chin to the
west and
the river Bang Pakong
to
the
east.
The network is
an
invaluable asset
containing numerous uses such as
•
drainage channels for storm water and flood overflows
•
navigation routes for water transport
•
conveying of sewage via the main rivers to the sea
•
conveying of irrigation water to the northern area
•
circulation of brackish water among the shrimp farms in the south
To improve the water quality a number of measures are undertaken by the Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration
(BMA).
In parallel
with
the construction of sewage
treatment facilities an advanced quality surveillance and decision support system is
under implementation. The decision support system comprises
advance
sensor and
database technology, mathematical modelling and model updating in real time. Finally,
data dissemination is provided via the Internet.
Below a description of the system and its functionalities is shown.