Residents are collecting clean water at the free clean water distribution point at the Lac Hoa water supply station in Vinh Chau ward.
The joy of having access to clean water.
In late January, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Center under the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City (referred to as the Water Center) not only put into operation many clean water supply stations (plants), but also opened many free clean water distribution points for people, helping to provide clean water promptly to people in remote coastal communes and scattered households that do not yet have access to clean water from water supply stations.
Ms. Tran Thi Len, residing in Au Tho B hamlet, Vinh Chau ward, said: “I and many other households in the area are very excited that the Lac Hoa water supply station was recently completed and put into operation in Vinh Chau ward. At this water supply station, the authorities have arranged a point for people to come and get clean water for use. Thanks to this, many households, even those living far from the water supply station, can now use clean water during this year's dry season, without having to wait until the water pipes are extended to their homes.”
Ms. Tang Thi Cuc, residing in Dai Bai hamlet, Vinh Chau ward, happily shared: “My house is in a coastal area, and for a long time I had to drill a well to get water for use during the dry season. However, the water from the drilled well was not of guaranteed quality and was also difficult to obtain. I had to use two electric motors to pump water, costing 500,000-600,000 VND in electricity per month. Therefore, when the water supply station and free clean water were available, I was very excited. I won't have to worry about water shortages for daily life during Tet (Lunar New Year) anymore.”
The Lac Hoa water supply station in Vinh Chau ward is one of four water supply projects in the saline and coastal areas of Soc Trang province (formerly) supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, with each station having a capacity of 800-1,200 m3/day. To date, all four projects have been completed. According to the Water Center, along with putting these projects into operation and upgrading and repairing many existing clean water supply facilities, the unit has coordinated with 11 coastal communes and wards to establish 37 free clean water distribution points for the people. This helps ensure a clean water supply for people to use during holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), and the dry season of 2026, preventing people from experiencing water shortages due to drought and salinity.
Spreading the message of clean water with compassion.
As of January 26th, the Water Center had opened 18 out of 37 free clean water distribution points in various coastal communes and wards as planned. Simultaneously, they are urgently opening the remaining free water distribution points to ensure all points are operational before the Lunar New Year 2026. They are also coordinating with local authorities to assess needs and open additional free water distribution points if necessary.
Many free clean water distribution points have become operational in communes and wards such as Cu Lao Dung, An Thanh, Lai Hoa, Khanh Hoa , Vinh Chau, Vinh Phuoc, etc. Each free clean water distribution point is equipped with a 10,000-liter water tank and is automatically connected to the clean water supply of the water treatment plant, ensuring unlimited water supply for residents. The Water Center has sent notifications to the People's Committees of communes and wards regarding the specific addresses of the free water distribution points to facilitate widespread dissemination of information to the public.
Mr. Nguyen The Lam, Deputy Director of the Water Center, said: “People can come to the free water distribution points to get water without any quantity limit. These points operate continuously, not only during the 2026 dry season but also in subsequent years, until the city completes the investment in centralized water supply projects so that people have clean water pipes leading to their homes.”
According to Mr. Nguyen The Lam, in order for clean water to reach all households in need, the Water Center hopes for cooperation and support from local authorities. In particular, the Party Committees and People's Committees of communes and wards need to focus on mobilizing the Youth Union, the Women's Union, and other relevant units to transport water directly to the homes of households facing difficulties in transportation and water access.
Currently, 78 out of 119 rural clean water supply stations in communes and wards of the former Soc Trang province have only one operating well, which is insufficient to ensure a reliable water supply, and any well failure would disrupt water provision. To ensure a continuous supply of clean water to the people, the Water Center has advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment to request the People's Committee of Can Tho City to drill additional wells at centralized water supply stations using the Water Center's own funds. Simultaneously, they are increasing the water extraction capacity of already licensed wells to meet the needs of people in saline intrusion areas. However, due to a long-term lack of investment for upgrades, many water supply facilities in coastal communes and wards are small-scale, have outdated technology, and urgently require long-term, fundamental investment solutions.
Given the above situation, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has proposed to the city a list of priority investments in rural clean water supply projects in coastal communes and wards for the period 2026-2030, with a budget of over 1,000 billion VND to invest in 22 large-scale, inter-commune water supply projects. Priority will be given to exploiting surface water in areas with favorable surface water sources to minimize groundwater exploitation, prevent subsidence, and protect resources. Upgrading, renovating, and expanding the water supply pipeline network (mainly for rural areas of the former Soc Trang province) will meet the clean water needs of the people, as well as increase the percentage of rural households using clean water to meet the targets set in the city's resolution.
Text and photos: KHANH TRUNG
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/khong-de-nguoi-dan-thieu-nuoc-sach-a197911.html
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