In December 2009, SU-EWB returned to Thailand to install a drinking water treatment system for the Mae Nam Khun medical clinic which serves approximately 5000 people. Similar to the dormitory treatment system from 2007, the final touches were completed in January 2010 by SU alumnus Ryan Daudistel (BSCE ’08) who had volunteered to spend two months in-country working for Faith International, our 5-year partner in MNK. The clinic director, Mr. Nakalee Thitisok was thrilled with the addition and no longer has to boil water for drinking or food preparation.
Education was another significant focus of the trip. Faculty advisor Dr. Phillip Thompson worked with a Thai translator, Adisorn Polchan, to produce water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) posters. Civil and Environmental Engineering Laboratory Manager Fred Jiencke helped train environmental engineering students from Chiang Mai University on the biological testing procedure that will be used for follow-up water quality monitoring.