Water quality management: general

Abstract

Rainfall is the main source of irrigation water in the northeastern part of Thailand where the inhabitants derive their income primarily from farming. In order to improve their economic conditions, the efficient use of available water is essential and this requires a sound understanding of the distribution of rainfall in space and in time. The present study aims at providing basic information on rainfall sequences in the region, such as their amount and their distribution in space and time. Several other statistical properties such as the persistence, the periodicity and the degree of irregularity of rainfall and the transition probabilities between rainy and non-rainy days are presented. An assessment of the availability of water for irrigation is also made.