How has To Lich River changed after one year of implementing the 'revival' project?

(VTC News) - After nearly a year of implementing many measures, from replenishing water in West Lake, collecting wastewater to dredging mud, To Lich River has gradually revived with green water and significantly reduced odor.

Since the beginning of the year, Hanoi has synchronously deployed many solutions to "revive" the To Lich River, from adding water, dredging mud, to building dams to retain water, building sewers to collect all wastewater along both sides of the river and organizing general cleaning and beautification of the river banks...

In recent days, To Lich River has been supplied with water from West Lake through a separate pipeline. The dam in the Quang bridge area has also been operating to maintain the river water level. The water has turned greener and less foul-smelling - a rare sight in decades.

Two HDPE pipes with a diameter of 1.2 m, running parallel, take water from West Lake A gate (Trich Sai street), follow the existing canal through alley 24 Vo Chi Cong and pour into the head of To Lich river.

This separate pipeline ensures that water supply from West Lake can be operated regularly and periodically and ensures that the water does not mix with wastewater.

In parallel with the water source from West Lake, before September 20, the Hanoi Management Board of Investment Projects for Construction of Technical Infrastructure and Agriculture will add treated water from Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant to To Lich River, with a flow rate of about 200,000 m³/day and night.

“In the past, when I opened the window, the stench would come into the house, it was terrible. Now it is completely different, the water is clearer, the smell has also reduced significantly. I feel relieved and hope the project will be strongly implemented so that this river will be truly clean for a long time,” said Tran Ngoc Hai (43 years old, living on Nguyen Khang street, near To Lich river).

Nguyen Minh Long (45 years old, living in Quan Hoa street) often exercises in the afternoon along the riverbank in Cau Giay section. He said that for about a month now, he has seen the riverbank become cleaner, the water is no longer pitch black, and looks more pleasing to the eye. "Hopefully in the next few years, To Lich river can become a place for community activities and not be a nightmare like before," he said.

After water from West Lake was added to To Lich River, many species of fish appeared in the river following the current, attracting people to bring nets and fishing rods to the river to scoop up and catch them.

Fish, turtles, snails, shrimp and many other creatures have begun to reappear in the river, which has been heavily polluted for many years.

Previously, the To Lich River received an average of 160,000 m³ of domestic wastewater every day, most of which was untreated or not treated to standards and then discharged directly into the river. But by August 15, all 245 discharge gates along the river were collected at the Yen Xa Plant.

Before September 20, the Hanoi Management Board of Investment Projects for Construction of Technical Infrastructure and Agriculture added treated water from Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant to To Lich River, with a flow rate of about 200,000 m³/day and night.

Since February, Hanoi Drainage Company has also organized continuous dredging day and night, both to clear the flow and improve the landscape on both banks.

The first dam on the To Lich River was started at the beginning of the year, in the downstream area of ​​Thanh Liet Ward. This project acts as a "regulating valve", holding and adjusting the river water level. Especially, in winter - spring when the water flow decreases, the dam will hold back a part to maintain the water level, avoiding the situation of depletion.

Maintaining and increasing water circulation also contributes to improving water quality and limiting pollution on the To Lich River.

After treating wastewater and adding water from West Lake, Hanoi continues to improve the landscape on both sides of the river, including the construction of a park along both sides of the To Lich River. The project is expected to start construction on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2025).

The To Lich River, which is more than 14km long, has been facing serious pollution for many years. Hanoi has repeatedly proposed solutions, but the results have not been clear. This time, with focused direction and specific measures, the water quality on the river has had positive changes. People expect that, with infrastructure investment and community cooperation, the To Lich River will soon regain its clean appearance, becoming a living and relaxing space for Hanoi.

Nam Nguyen - Minh Duc - Vien Minh

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/song-to-lich-thay-doi-ra-sao-sau-mot-nam-trien-khai-du-an-hoi-sinh-ar966061.html