The Kim Doi canal (Vu Ninh ward) has black water with a thick layer of white foam.

BAC NINH - In recent days, the water in the Kim Doi canal, which runs through Vu Ninh ward, has turned black and is heavily polluted. Local authorities have intervened, requesting specialized agencies to collect samples for monitoring to determine the cause and ensure the safety of residents.

Mr. Nguyen Van An, 83 years old, residing in Ngoc Doi residential area, whose house is near the Kim Doi canal, complained: "Before, the water in the canal was clear and blue, but now it has turned black, and occasionally there are bursts of white foam like soap bubbles. If you stand close, it stings your eyes and gives you a suffocating feeling that is very uncomfortable. My house is nearby, so I have to keep the doors and windows closed all day, but I'm still affected."

The Kim Doi canal section passing through Vu Ninh ward has discolored water, foaming on the surface, and is causing pollution.

It's not just Mr. An's family; hundreds of households living along the Kim Doi canal, especially in the Phu Xuan bridge area and the residential areas of Ngoc Doi, Kim Doi, and Phu Xuan (Vu Ninh ward), are constantly suffering from air pollution from the water environment.

On May 18th, observations showed the canal water was dark and murky, with a film of white foam and scum floating on the surface, emitting a strong, foul odor, especially during hot weather. At many points along the canal, the thick layer of black water almost completely obscured the bottom. Long stretches of white foam, tens of meters in length, clung to the canal banks, and when the wind blew, the foam scattered everywhere.

The water in the canal turned black, with white foam floating on the surface.

Besides causing inconvenience in daily life, the prolonged pollution also raises concerns among residents about potential health risks. The persistent appearance of white foam patches and the unusual discoloration of the water have led many residents to suspect that untreated wastewater is being discharged into the canal system.

Mr. Nguyen Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vu Ninh Ward, said: "The canal section passing through the ward receives flow from many branch canals, and is the downstream area before flowing into the Cau River. Due to the dry season, the flow is slow, and the difference in elevation is about 1.5m, so water easily stagnates, increasing the accumulation of waste and foul odors."

Mr. Ha also stated that the ward had previously received complaints from residents and dispatched a task force to inspect and verify the source of wastewater discharge in the area. The inspection revealed clear signs of pollution in many sections of the canal. Specifically, at the Vu Ninh pumping station, the water was murky; the closer to the point of receiving water from the Kim Doi 7 branch, the water turned black, extending along the entire length of the canal. At the Nga Bridge area (Nam Son ward) and the section passing through Phuong Lieu ward, the water also had a film on the surface and emitted an unpleasant odor.

Because the canal receives water from many different areas, identifying the source of pollution is initially difficult and requires inter-agency coordination and in-depth assessment. The People's Committee of the ward has sent a document requesting neighboring wards to cooperate in reviewing and verifying wastewater discharge points along the canal; at the same time, they have reported and requested the province to direct specialized agencies to collect water samples for monitoring, analysis, and accurate determination of the cause of pollution.

The Kim Doi Canal is a crucial drainage route, serving agricultural production and regulating water flow for many residential areas. Therefore, allowing the canal to remain polluted for an extended period not only affects the living environment but also highlights the urgent need to control wastewater discharge and ensure responsible management of the area.

What has angered many residents is that the discoloration, foaming, and foul-smelling water is not a new phenomenon but has recurred. However, the specific cause remains unclear, leaving residents worried about the risk of prolonged pollution. "If any unit is discharging pollutants, they must be severely punished to restore a clean environment so that people can live in peace," suggested Mr. Nguyen Tien Xuan, head of the Ngoc Doi residential group in Vu Ninh ward.

In the context of localities aggressively building civilized urban areas and improving the quality of life, allowing a canal in the middle of a residential area to become polluted is unacceptable. Residents hope that the authorities will soon publicly release the monitoring results, clearly identify the cause, and thoroughly address the pollution to restore a clean living environment for the people.

The Kim Doi canal is heavily polluted.

Newspapers and radio and television stations in Bac Ninh continue to report on the incident.

Text and photos: Hai Van - Khoi Nguyen

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/kenh-kim-doi-phuong-vu-ninh-nuoc-den-noi-bot-trang-xoa-postid445924.bbg