Sustainability of freshwater resources has emerged as a critical issue in a number of RCA Member States in East Asia and the Pacific region. Monitoring of groundwater systems for background levels of contaminants is imperative to sustainability of freshwater resources. In this regard, isotope techniques in hydrology have been proven to be highly advantageous in terms of their sensitivity, reliability, precision and applicability especially when applied in conjunction with conventional techniques. In order to assess the progress of the project after two years of its implementation, RCA National Project Coordinators’ Meeting will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 21-25 February 2005.
In the project, focuses have been placed on assessing groundwater dynamics and quality in selected area in the region, and promoting the use of isotope techniques in addition to conventional techniques (hydrogeological, chemical and biological) for study of pollutant behavior and contaminant transport in groundwater systems. The February Bangkok NPCs meeting will review the project progress during the last two years and further work plans and schedules. Emphasis will be made on the issues like analytical services, equipment & materials, expert services, group events, etc. In addition, the ideas for the RCA project for the 2007-2008 cycle will also be discussed.

For further information, please contact Ms. Somkid Buapeng at somkid@dmr.go.th