In the days leading up to the 2026 Lunar New Year, which also marks the beginning of the 2026 dry season, the demand for clean water increases significantly due to the depletion of water reserves in many households. Thanks to proactive efforts to improve water supply capacity, the water treatment plants have ensured a stable and timely supply, quenching the thirst of the people, especially in coastal areas heavily affected by drought and salinity.
Living at the end of the Hau River bordering the sea, Ms. Truong Diem Phuong, from An Trung A hamlet, An Thanh commune, used to be haunted by drought and salinity seasons, having to wait until midnight to turn on the water supply. But this Tet holiday is different: “The new, large-scale clean water supply plant, operational just before the New Year, ensures an abundant water supply. Now, the water flows strongly all the time, and people no longer have to stay up at night to store water like before.”
Sharing the joy, Mrs. Luu Thi Le excitedly said: “My family is very happy to have clean water to use freely, even during peak hours. No more waiting by the water jars in the middle of the night; people can now enjoy the Spring Festival and celebrate Tet together more happily. We are truly grateful to the government for caring about the lives of people in saline intrusion areas.”
Ms. Phuong from An Thanh commune is very happy to have a sufficient supply of clean water for use.
Recently, the Water Center has put into operation two large-scale, modern water supply stations (plants) in An Thanh and Cu Lao Dung communes, each with a capacity of 1,200 m³ /day. These facilities are synchronously connected to the existing network, and pipelines have been upgraded and expanded to areas that previously suffered from water shortages due to the old, fragmented system that did not meet demand. In particular, the An Thanh 2 water supply station has promptly supplemented clean water for over 500 households in An Trung A hamlet. As a result, even though the plant is more than 6km away, residents now have sufficient water.
Mr. Nguyen Van Phon, a staff member managing the An Thanh 2 Water Supply Station under the Water Center, said that in addition to expanding the pipeline network, the Water Center has also established a free clean water distribution point right at the station to serve people in need. "We strictly implement operational procedures and closely monitor the operation of machinery and equipment to ensure continuous water supply for the people," Mr. Phon affirmed.
The An Thanh 2 water supply station is one of four water supply projects in the saline intrusion 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. Along with putting these four projects into operation and upgrading and repairing many existing clean water supply facilities, the Water Center is coordinating with 11 coastal communes and wards to open many free clean water distribution points for the people.
Mr. Thach Duong, residing in Mo O hamlet, Tran De commune, said: “My family hasn't had the means to install a water meter for clean water, so I'm very happy that the government has opened a free clean water distribution point for daily use. During the 2026 dry season and this Lunar New Year, my family will no longer worry about a shortage of water for daily use.”
Ms. Thach Thi Thom, residing in Mo O hamlet, Tran De commune, expressed her joy that the locality now has a free clean water supply point, helping to provide clean water promptly to the people during the dry season, especially for scattered households that have not yet had water meters installed at clean water supply stations.
People are getting clean water at a free clean water distribution point in Mo O hamlet, Tran De commune.
Mr. Nguyen The Lam, Deputy Director of the Water Center, said: “After the merger, the (new) Can Tho City Water Center was established in December 2025 and quickly implemented many solutions to improve the capacity to supply clean water to the people. This includes focusing on implementing the city's and the Department of Agriculture and Environment's directives on resources and equipment to upgrade, renovate, and repair water supply facilities. Surveying, connecting, and supplying water from large-scale centralized water supply stations invested by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in the former Soc Trang province to promptly bring strong water flows to areas lacking water. Maximizing the mobilization of staff and workers to participate in technical handling, pipeline network maintenance, and the efficient operation of clean water supply systems. Establishing a duty roster with full equipment and backup materials to ensure continuous water supply, basically meeting the needs of the people during Tet and the 2026 dry season.”
Leaders of the Water Center inspect the operation at the An Thanh 2 Water Supply Station in An Thanh commune.
According to the Water Center, the unit has established 37 free water supply points in coastal communes and wards to support households without direct pipeline access. Here, residents are provided with unlimited clean water to meet all essential daily needs. These water supply points will remain operational until the city completes investment in a centralized water supply system, ensuring sustainable service for local residents.
Text and photos: KHANH TRUNG
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/khong-lo-thieu-nuoc-sach-dip-tet-2026-a198583.html
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