The Development of a Theoretical Model for Water Management Using a Digital Platform in Rural Communities of Suphan Buri Province

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) develop a theoretical model for water management using digital technology, 2) design and test a digital platform to improve water management, and 3) analyze the impact of the platform on the efficiency and sustainability of water resources in Yan Yao Subdistrict, Sam Chuk District, Suphan Buri Province, a community facing issues of manual water fee collection and lack of transparency, which have contributed to resource losses and undermined the sustainability of its water distribution system. The platform was developed as a low-code prototype integrating AppSheet with Google Sheets. Employing a mixed methods research design, the study involved 300 households and 9 experts in water management and digital technology. Data were collected through participatory observation, focus group discussions, and user satisfaction surveys, and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and qualitative content analysis. Findings indicate that the platform reduces manual recording errors and enhances speed, accuracy, and transparency in water fee collection. It also promotes community participation and serves as a scalable model for provincial replication, with users reporting very high satisfaction (mean = 4.61). The study proposes a novel theoretical framework for village water supply administration that integrates digital technology, community engagement, and revolving funds, accompanied by policy recommendations for provincial-level implementation.