The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) by National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), in collaboration with the Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI), delivered a research-based clean water innovation to strengthen water security for communities along the Kok River in Chiang Rai, where water quality concerns related to arsenic and heavy metal contamination have posed significant challenges to local water supplies. The handover of the prototype village water supply system was presided over by Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, underscoring the importance of integrating science, technology and innovation into mission-oriented research that directly addresses national priorities and community needs.
The initiative reflects NSTDA’s commitment to translating research excellence into practical solutions that generate tangible social impact. Under the leadership of Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, the agency has advanced the development and deployment of innovative technologies that respond to pressing environmental and public health concerns. Developed by NANOTEC-NSTDA under the A-QUALITY programme, the prototype system integrates water quality monitoring with an advanced treatment process specifically designed to respond to local contamination profiles, enabling effective reduction of turbidity, arsenic and other heavy metals.
The project also highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in strengthening the scientific foundation of community-scale innovation. Through its collaboration with SLRI, the research team applied synchrotron-based analytical techniques to identify the chemical forms of arsenic present in contaminated water sources. These findings supported the development of highly selective ion-exchange resin materials for arsenic removal, enhancing both the effectiveness and reliability of the treatment system. Under the direction of Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Executive Director of NANOTEC, the project demonstrates the potential of nanotechnology and advanced materials research to deliver scalable solutions for safe water access.
NSTDA has piloted the system in Ban Rim Kok and Ban Muang Ngim, benefiting more than 700 households and supporting the improvement of village waterworks to meet Department of Health standards. This effort also builds on the broader AquaNano platform, which has been further developed into a mobile drinking water production unit capable of producing up to 250 litres of clean drinking water per hour for disaster relief operations. Collectively, these achievements reaffirm NSTDA’s role in driving the application of science and innovation to enhance environmental resilience, promote public well-being and support sustainable community development in northern Thailand.