Sustainable solutions for clean water in areas vulnerable to natural disasters

While other supports have been temporarily stabilized, the most worrying thing for people is still clean water. Therefore, there needs to be a long-term, sustainable solution to the clean water problem in areas frequently affected by natural disasters.

A clean water system supported by NGOs in Tra Tan commune — A clean water treatment system supported by a non -governmental organization for a school in Tra Tan commune. Photo: PHAN VINH

Concerns about clean water in the rainy season

In late October 2025, prolonged heavy rains due to storm No. 12 caused severe damage to Tra Tan commune. The entire commune recorded more than 50 landslides, of which nearly 20 were large, causing traffic disruption in many areas.

In particular, Song Y village (172 households, 686 people) and Ngoc Giac village (64 households, 262 people) were completely isolated for many days, from October 27 to November 2.

During the days of isolation, local authorities and functional forces tried to reach each residential area to deliver necessities, medicine, and food. But there was one thing that even the relief forces could not fully provide: clean water.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thien (born 1960, Ngoc Giac village), whose house completely collapsed during the flood, shared that clean water is the biggest concern of his family of 10, including many young children.

"The flood came suddenly, houses were submerged, roads were cut off, and stream water was murky and could not be used for cooking or drinking. Instant noodles and dry food could be stored, but clean water could not. We were afraid of disease after the flood, so we had to wait for relief bottles of water," said Mr. Thien.

Philanthropists support small capacity water filtration equipment for Anh Duong Kindergarten. Photo: PHAN VINH

In Tra Tan commune, clean water is not only a problem during the rainy season. Anh Duong Kindergarten is a typical example of the year-round water shortage.

The school has 4 learning locations with 164 children, each location is 5km apart. As for the 2 school locations in Thang Phuong and Song Tranh villages, due to lack of clean water system, teachers have to transport water from the main location for cooking and daily activities for students.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le, Vice Principal of the school, shared: "On rainy days, the roads are slippery and vehicles cannot move, but we still have to find a way to bring water to the school for the children. Each can of water is a long and arduous journey. Children need to be clean every day, so clean water is always an urgent matter."

For many people in Tra Tan commune, the story of "lack of water in the midst of floods" sounds paradoxical but is a reality that has existed for many years. When natural disasters strike, ensuring a local water source not only helps maintain daily life, but is also a vital factor for people to survive during days of isolation.

Need small projects

Recorded in Binh Yen village (Que Phuoc commune), although isolated for more than a week during the recent flood, the people here still have enough clean water to use thanks to a system of 3 large tanks with a total capacity of each tank of more than 10m³, led from the water source in the village's wells.

Mr. Doan Cong Lam, Secretary of the Party Cell of Binh Yen village, said: "When there is information about storms and rains, people proactively clean up and fill the water tanks. When the flood comes, the water tanks are effective immediately. Although the road is cut off, all households have water for daily use, not passive like before."

The story of Binh Yen shows that when there is a small-scale clean water project, but it is well managed, the results are huge. However, not every place has such conditions.

The clean water tank project in Binh Yen village, Que Phuoc commune was effective during the recent flood. Photo: PHAN VINH

Secretary of the Tra Tan Commune Party Committee Nguyen Hong Lai said that the locality had previously invested in a clean water settling tank project led from a self-flowing stream pipe, but over time, most of it had degraded, damaged, and could no longer be used.

"People in many places have to pull water pipes from streams themselves, but when landslides or heavy rains occur, the entire pipeline is washed away. The self-flowing water system is no longer suitable in complex climate change conditions, with more frequent and severe natural disasters," said Mr. Lai.

According to Mr. Lai, what the locality desires most now is to have a systematic investment in the rural clean water supply system, with priority given to backup wells and large tanks in residential areas that are easily isolated. Water projects need to have a regular maintenance and warranty mechanism to avoid the situation of investment being completed and then degraded.

"In the "4 on-site" motto for disaster response, in addition to forces and means, clean water is an extremely important on-site factor. If people have enough clean water for daily activities, diseases will be limited, and life after a natural disaster will also stabilize more quickly.

Along with that, highland communes are in great need of flood shelters, built in vulnerable locations, both as shelters and as water supply and food storage points when necessary," Mr. Lai shared.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/giai-phap-ben-vung-ve-nuoc-sach-vung-de-bi-co-lap-do-thien-tai-3309860.html