Close-up of black wastewater pouring into the Day River

December 28, 2024 | 06:30

TPO – Domestic and industrial wastewater from residential areas continues to flow into the Day River, causing serious pollution and a foul odor. Furthermore, sedimentation and the dumping of waste encroaching on the riverbanks are causing the riverbed to narrow.

According to the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Day River was originally a major tributary on the right bank of the Red River. Starting from the Hat Mon estuary, it flows in a northeast-southwest direction and empties into the Gulf of Tonkin at the Day estuary (Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province). The Day River's main course runs through the territory of nine districts/counties of Hanoi.

According to observations by Tien Phong newspaper in late December 2024, the Day River section flowing through Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc, and Quoc Oai districts (Hanoi) is severely polluted. This is especially concerning given the lack of heavy rainfall recently, while wastewater from domestic and industrial activities continues to be discharged into the Day River.

The Day River section passing through Bridge 72, bordering Quoc Oai and Hoai Duc districts, has pitch-black water, with garbage overflowing from the banks into the river.

Wastewater from residential areas in Cong Hoa commune (Quoc Oai district) flows directly into the Day River.

Along the banks of the Day River in Van Con commune (Hoai Duc district), people are dumping soil and rocks, encroaching on the river.

The Hanoi City Environmental Status Report, specifically on water environment, conducted by the Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment, shows that the water quality of the Day River has been polluted by organic parameters such as _BOD5 , COD, _NH4 ⁺ , ^and _PO43- . The concentration of pollutants generally tends to decrease from upstream to downstream (photo: Day River section flowing through Yen Son commune, Quoc Oai district).

Due to the pollution of the Day River, Hanoi voters have repeatedly requested that the city develop a plan to "revive" the river. In response to these requests, the Hanoi People's Committee stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has implemented the "Dredging and Improvement Project of the Day River in Hanoi". The project involves dredging from the Day Dam (Dan Phuong district) to Yen Nghia ward, Ha Dong district, with a total length of 23km (photo: Day River section in Hat Mon commune, Dan Phuong district).

The project is divided into two phases. Phase 1, which involved dredging the river from downstream of the Day Dam to K8+700 and constructing the Hiep Thuan bridge, has been completed. Phase 2 (dredging from K8+700 to Mai Linh bridge, Yen Nghia ward, Ha Dong district, with a length of 14.4 km; constructing 6 bridges across the river and upgrading 5 riverside pumping stations) currently lacks funding and therefore cannot be implemented (photo: Day River section passing through Hat Mon commune, Dan Phuong district).

Wastewater from a residential area in Quoc Oai district is discharged into the Day River.

The Hanoi People's Committee has directed relevant departments and agencies to implement many specific solutions to contribute to improving water pollution in the Day River according to the Hanoi Capital Drainage Plan to 2030, with a vision to 2050, as per Decision No. 725/QD-TTg dated May 10, 2013, of the Prime Minister (photo: Day River section flowing through Hat Mon commune, Dan Phuong district).

A wastewater pipe from a residential area in Quoc Oai district discharges into the Day River (right at the foot of the Day River bridge).

Residents of Hoai Duc district are dumping construction waste, encroaching on the Day River.

To reduce pollution in the Day River, the Hanoi People's Committee has instructed relevant departments and units to strengthen inspection and supervision of organizations, individuals, production, business, service, and medical facilities in the field of environmental protection and water resources (photo: Residents of Van Con commune, Hoai Duc district encroaching on the Day River).

Thanh Hieu