Investing in clean water – towards sustainable rural development.

Ensuring access to clean and safe water for rural areas is becoming a top priority for the province. With synchronized investment in infrastructure and management, the rural clean water supply program not only meets the essential needs of the people but also contributes to promoting sustainable development in the agricultural and rural areas.

Rural water supply projects contribute to fulfilling the criteria for new rural areas in Tay Ninh.

Bringing fresh water to drought- and saline-affected areas.

For many years, Tan Tru commune in Tay Ninh province has been one of the "hot spots" for water shortages due to its location bordering the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers. Every dry season, saltwater from downstream floods deep into the inland areas, many wells become heavily contaminated with alum, forcing residents to collect rainwater in buckets or transport water from other places for use.

In recent years, along with the policy of investing in the synchronized development of rural infrastructure, the commune has focused resources on upgrading and expanding the clean water supply network. According to the Tan Tru Commune People's Committee, the expansion of the local water supply network has now reached approximately 98% of households with access to hygienic water, of which more than 80% use clean water from the centralized system. The commune is coordinating with the Provincial Center for Irrigation and Clean Water to continue investing in additional water supply pipelines along the inland canals, prioritizing areas that frequently experience water shortages during the dry season.

Not only Tan Tru, but Thuan My commune also used to be a "water-scarce" area every dry season. For many years, saltwater intrusion frequently penetrated deep into this area, leaving hundreds of households without access to clean water, forcing them to collect rainwater or temporarily use river water or brackish water. To definitively resolve this situation, the Binh Tri 1 Water Supply Station was invested in and put into operation in 2017. Mr. Le Thanh Sang, a staff member of the station, said: "The plant has been operational since 2017, providing clean water to about 2,400 households, with a 32km pipeline. Previously, people only used well water, rainwater, or river water contaminated with brackish water, which was very difficult. Since having clean water, people's lives have improved significantly."

According to Do Thanh Hai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuan My commune: “This area experiences prolonged saltwater intrusion for about 6 months, from November to May of the following year. Along with investing in clean water infrastructure, the commune also reinforces dikes to prevent saltwater intrusion, protecting production areas and drinking water. Currently, 100% of households in Thuan My commune use clean water, of which 88.7% meet QCVN 01 standards. In the future, we will continue to mobilize resources to upgrade the remaining 39 systems, striving to have over 95% of households using water that meets the standards by 2030.”

Continue to improve infrastructure and expand the water supply network.

Staff at Binh Tri 1 Water Supply Station operate the automatic water filtration system via mobile device.

The province is gradually improving its rural water supply system towards stability, sustainability, and adaptation to climate change; aiming for all citizens to have access to clean, standard-compliant water. According to Trang Tan Tai, Director of the Provincial Center for Irrigation and Clean Water: “Currently, the Center manages 88 water supply stations (15 stations in the former Long An area and 73 stations in the pre-merger Tay Ninh area), providing water to approximately 37,000 rural customers.” Over the past period, the Center has effectively implemented the Clean Water Program for the 2021-2025 period, contributing to improving people's lives. Water quality testing and monitoring are conducted regularly. Leaks and pipeline damage are addressed promptly, reducing water loss and ensuring stable and safe water supply.

To achieve the goals of the National Program to Combat Water Loss and Revenue Leakage by 2025 (according to Decision No. 2147/QD-TTg), the Center is implementing key solutions such as: Zoning, separating the network, installing main flow meters to control pressure and consumption; Reviewing, repairing, and replacing degraded pipelines and fittings; Replacing Class B meters with Class C meters to increase accuracy; Regularly inspecting primary and secondary pumping systems; Promoting awareness of water conservation and protecting water supply infrastructure; Mobilizing the community to detect and report leaks promptly.

Thanks to the synchronized application of technical and management solutions, water loss rates have decreased significantly, and the quality of service for the people has improved. Many localities that were previously affected by drought and salinity now have a stable and safe water supply year-round.

According to statistics, currently over 75% of rural households in the province have access to water that meets standards, higher than the national average (68%). This achievement not only demonstrates the effectiveness of investment and management but also affirms the province's determination to ensure social welfare, improve the quality of life, and build sustainable new rural areas.

Minh Tue

Source: https://baolongan.vn/dau-tu-nuoc-sach-huong-den-nong-thon-ben-vung-a204969.html