Preserving clean water for the Cat Ba tourist season.

In the summer of 2026, the number of tourists visiting Cat Ba is projected to continue to increase sharply, leading to a higher demand for clean water.

Workers from Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company operate the seawater desalination system at the Cai Gia Water Treatment Plant on Cat Ba Island during the summer of 2026.

Be proactive from the start.

In late May, at water supply facilities on Cat Ba Island, workers were urgently inspecting and maintaining pipelines, pumps, reservoirs, and water treatment plants to ensure stable operation during the summer tourist season. According to Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company, the total water supply capacity on the island currently reaches approximately 14,200 m³/day, serving more than 5,000 customers, equivalent to about 96% of the population.

In recent years, tourism in Cat Ba has grown strongly, leading to an increasing demand for clean water. By 2025, the island is expected to welcome over 4.5 million visitors, and this number is projected to exceed 4.7 million in 2026. The development of resorts, hotels, urban areas, and tourism services continues to increase water demand. Forecasts indicate that water demand during the peak summer season this year could exceed 11,000 m³/day, with the central tourist area of ​​Cat Ba accounting for over 8,000 m³/day.

The pressure to ensure water supply is increasing as natural water sources on the island are increasingly affected by climate change and water shortages during the dry season. In response to this reality, Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company has developed various water supply scenarios at different levels, while also reviewing the entire water supply system, assessing the operational capacity of water treatment plants, stations, seawater treatment systems, and groundwater extraction wells.

In areas with high concentrations of tourists, such as the Cat Ba tourist center, tourist ferry terminals, coastal hotels, and new accommodation areas, water pressure and flow rates are monitored regularly to allow for timely adjustments when demand surges.

According to Nguyen Van Chinh, Chairman of the Cat Hai Special Economic Zone Business Association, accommodation establishments in the Cat Ba tourist area are also proactively upgrading and supplementing their clean water storage systems to serve the increased number of tourists in the summer of 2026, especially on weekends.

Ensuring water security

Workers from Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company operate the water supply system at the Cai Gia Water Treatment Plant on Cat Ba Island.

The biggest challenge right now is that the raw water supply is highly dependent on weather conditions. The dry season in Cat Ba usually lasts from December of the previous year to July of the following year, coinciding with the peak tourist season.

Meanwhile, many reservoirs on the island have limited capacity or are experiencing problems. Notably, Pearl Lake – the largest reservoir on the island – is undergoing repairs, reducing its water storage capacity for this summer. It is estimated that if the weather deteriorates, the maximum water supply capacity during the peak summer of 2026 could be as low as 9,000 m³/day.

According to Cao Van Quy, Deputy General Director of Hai Phong Water Supply Joint Stock Company, the company has been developing a water supply operation plan for the 2026 summer tourist season since the beginning of the year. This includes continuing to survey and drill more wells to exploit groundwater, maintaining the operation of seawater treatment plants with a capacity of approximately 2,500 ^m³ /day. At the same time, they are developing a plan to transport clean water from the mainland to the island by barge and tanker trucks if necessary.

According to contingency plans, approximately 1,000 ^m³ of clean water can be supplied to the island daily from the mainland by barge. Despite high operating costs and dependence on weather conditions, this remains a crucial solution to mitigate the risk of localized water shortages during peak months. Alongside technical solutions, water supply regulation is also being carefully prepared. In the event of a water shortage, priority will be given to serving the needs of residents, administrative agencies, and essential services.

The Pearl Reservoir, the largest freshwater reservoir on Cat Ba Island, is currently undergoing repairs and upgrades.

As Cat Ba Island gradually establishes itself as a national and international eco-tourism center, ensuring access to clean water is of crucial importance. Not only does it meet the daily needs of the local population, but a stable water supply also contributes to improving the quality of tourism services, building an image of a green, safe, and sustainable destination. Therefore, accelerating investment in a clean water supply system from the mainland to the island is a necessary solution to create a stable and long-term water source, meeting the socio- economic development requirements of the Cat Hai Special Economic Zone in the coming years.

BAO NAM

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/giu-dong-nuoc-sach-cho-mua-du-lich-cat-ba-544216.html