With the heatwave reaching its peak, will Hanoi face a clean water shortage?

TPO - Forecasts indicate a harsh summer in 2026 with intense heatwaves, including days experiencing "urban heat island" phenomena in central city areas, leading to a surge in demand for clean water. The Hanoi Department of Construction has proposed measures to ensure the supply of clean water for domestic use this summer.

Local water demand could increase by up to 8%.

According to forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the summer heatwave in 2026 will be extremely complex, with the possibility of appearing earlier, lasting longer, and increasing in intensity, even more severe than in 2025. The demand for water in Hanoi is expected to surge dramatically.

1. Pressure and consumer demand

-Extreme weather: The summer heatwave of 2026 will arrive earlier, last longer, and be more intense than last year.

-Demand for clean water: Expected to increase by 5% - 6% compared to the same period in 2025.

-Peak demand: A surge of 6% - 8% on the hottest days.

2. Supply capacity and regulation plan

-Basic supply: Remains stable at 1.48 - 1.61 million m³/day-night.

Emergency compensation system:

- Groundwater reserve: Ready to activate an additional 100,000 - 110,000 m³/day-night.

- North Thang Long Plant: Capacity can be increased to 180,000 m³/day-night.

Specifically, according to calculations from network management units, the average demand for clean water per person is expected to increase by about 5% - 6% compared to the same period in 2025. During prolonged periods of hot weather or days when the "urban heat island" phenomenon occurs in central areas, local water demand across the entire system could surge by 6% to 8%.

To proactively respond, the Hanoi Department of Construction has developed a plan to ensure the supply of clean water, regulate water resources harmoniously, and is determined to prevent prolonged water shortages that could affect people's lives.

Ready to activate the backup water supply plan.

According to the plan, the total clean water supply capacity across Hanoi's entire system is guaranteed to be maintained at between 1,489,374 and 1,612,767 m³/day. This supply mainly comes from major players in the surface water industry and groundwater extracted by various companies.

The peak summer season is a time when water shortages frequently occur, especially in areas far from water supply lines and with high ground levels.

To prevent localized water shortages or pressure drops in some downstream areas, the Department of Construction has requested the Hanoi Water Supply Company to activate its backup water supply plan, supplementing 100,000 to 110,000 m³/day from groundwater sources. Simultaneously, additional water will be supplied from the Bac Thang Long Water Treatment Plant (potentially increasing to 180,000 m³/day), and the purchase of water from the Duong and Da rivers will be reduced to compensate for water shortages in areas managed by Viwaco and Ha Dong Water Supply Company.

In addition, contingency plans for the Da River water pipeline rupture have been prepared. The Da River Clean Water Investment Joint Stock Company is committed to preparing backup materials and personnel to repair any pipeline rupture within no more than 10 hours per rupture point.

During the repair period, the Tay Mo regulating station will be operated to regulate and utilize 30,000 m³ of clean water from the reservoir to maintain the water supply for the inner city.

For disadvantaged areas at the end of the supply line or high-rise buildings and apartments, the units will implement technical solutions such as installing mobile booster pump stations, operating zone regulating valves on a timed basis, and providing water in rotation.

In the event of a disruption to the centralized water supply, the city will deploy sufficient water tankers to provide free water to residents and priority groups such as hospitals and schools.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nang-nong-dinh-diem-ha-noi-lieu-co-thieu-nuoc-sach-post1846372.tpo