Protect water quality, improve environmental quality

The water quality of the Dong Vam Co River decreases during the changing seasons every year, partly due to untreated wastewater from urban areas flowing into canals and ditches.

Untreated urban wastewater discharged into the environment is one of the causes of water pollution in canals, streams, and the Vam Co Dong and Saigon rivers. In recent times, the province has focused on investing in the collection and treatment of urban wastewater to help protect the quality of water resources.

Many cities deploy wastewater collection systems and treatment plants.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DARD), up to now, Tay Ninh province has 9 urban areas, of which 6 urban areas (including Tay Ninh city, Hoa Thanh town, Trang Bang town and Duong Minh Chau, Ben Cau, Chau Thanh towns) have been and are implementing the construction of wastewater collection and treatment systems. Go Dau town alone is preparing to invest in a system with a design capacity of 5,000 m³/day and night.

Specifically, Tay Ninh city has completed the construction of a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 5,000 m³/day and night, and is preparing to invest in a connection project from households. Hoa Thanh town is constructing a system with a capacity of 6,000 m³/day and night. Trang Bang town is constructing a system with a capacity of 5,000 m³/day and night.

Chau Thanh town is constructing a system with a capacity of 600 m³/day. night. Duong Minh Chau town has completed and operated since 2018, with a capacity of 1,200 m³/day. night. Ben Cau town has invested in a system (belonging to Moc Bai urban area), with a capacity of 3,000 m³/day. night, and is preparing to invest in household connection items.

Thus, in addition to Tay Ninh city, there are at least 5 urban areas that are constructing or have put the system into operation - reflecting the province's great investment efforts in the context of limited budget.

Still difficult to operate synchronously

However, urban wastewater treatment plants cannot operate simultaneously, including many reasons such as projects with large investment capital, the province must divide according to the ability to balance the budget; many places have completed plants but do not have a complete collection system, so there is not enough flow for stable operation; the rate of household connection is still low due to habits, costs and awareness.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xuan - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the lack of synchronous operation of wastewater treatment systems has significantly affected the quality of the water environment. Untreated domestic wastewater is discharged directly into inland drainage canals, natural streams, the Vam Co Dong River, and the Saigon River, causing eutrophication, reducing dissolved oxygen, affecting aquatic life and public health.

Faced with that situation, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has coordinated with the Department of Construction and related departments and branches to advise the Provincial People's Committee on key solutions such as implementing Resolution 86/2024/NQ-HDND to support connections for people; adding collection and connection projects to the medium-term public investment plan for 2026-2030; focusing on attracting non-budgetary investment through PPP, BOT, ODA; developing unit prices and technical norms to socialize operations.

Domestic wastewater from households living along the Vam Co Dong River in Go Dau town (Go Dau district) is discharged directly into the Vam Co Dong River.

In addition, communication and public awareness should be promoted. The responsibilities of departments, branches and localities are also clearly defined; in which, the Department of Construction is the specialized agency assigned to take the lead in advising on planning and investing in drainage works, urban wastewater collection and treatment systems; and guiding and supervising the implementation of projects according to approved plans.

The Department of Finance shall take the lead in advising on balancing and allocating capital from the State budget to implement wastewater treatment system investment projects; coordinate in developing support policies and mobilizing other legal capital sources.

The People's Committees of districts, towns and cities are responsible for directing the implementation of planning and implementing wastewater treatment projects in the area; coordinating propaganda and mobilizing people to implement connections. The People's Committees of wards and towns carry out the work of mobilizing people, reviewing and counting connection needs, creating conditions for project implementation and participating in community supervision.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xuan emphasized that the investment in building an urban wastewater collection and treatment system, as well as raising people's awareness about connecting domestic wastewater to the collection system, is an inter-sectoral task. Therefore, it is necessary to synchronize infrastructure investment, raise awareness and mobilize the participation of people and businesses to protect water resources and the sustainable environment.

Tan Hung

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/bao-ve-chat-luong-nguon-nuoc-nang-cao-chat-luong-moi-truong-a191070.html