Ta Hoc has a localized shortage of clean water for daily use.

For many years, during the dry season, hundreds of households in Na Huong village, Pat Ca village, and sub-district 7 of Ta Hoc commune, Son La province, have faced a shortage of clean water. At times, people have had to beg for water, buy water for storage, or share drilled wells, but the water supply is scarce and not hygienic, causing many difficulties for the villagers.

In Na Huong village, residents report a persistent and worsening water shortage. Mr. Lo Van Vinh, from Na Huong village, recalls: "Decades ago, when people were clearing land, they discovered a natural water source and cleared the waterway, using bamboo troughs to bring water to the village for daily use. In 1960-1962, the government invested in a cast iron pipeline system and reservoirs to supply water to residents in sub-district 7, Na Huong village, and Pat Ca village. However, over time, the pipeline system deteriorated and became damaged. Later, the government continued to support the installation of plastic pipes to bring water to households and assigned self-governing groups to operate them. But due to a lack of funds for repair and maintenance, the pipeline system has also deteriorated. Meanwhile, natural water sources are dwindling, and the population is increasing, leading to frequent water shortages. Now, many households have to drill their own wells and buy water storage tanks." But during the peak of the dry season, the wells dry up, leaving insufficient water for daily use.

The water containers in Na Huong village, Ta Hoc commune, no longer have usable water.

Currently, hundreds of households in Na Huong village, Pat Ca village, and Sub-district 7 are sharing a water source from the Mo Do area. A field survey revealed that only two small natural water sources remain at the headwaters. Residents have built brick walls to store water and then channel it to reservoirs for distribution to residential areas. For the past two weeks, the area has experienced the first rains of the season, but despite heavy rainfall, the water supply in the Mo Do area has not improved. While residents have proactively used water storage containers and tanks, this only partially addresses their immediate needs. In the long term, the increasing scarcity of water remains a constant concern for the people here.

Mr. Leo Van Duc, Party Secretary and Head of Na Huong village, said: The village has 193 households and 835 inhabitants. During the rainy season, they can utilize water from streams and irrigation ditches, but it is very difficult during the dry season. Three villages and sub-districts share a single water source, but it only meets about one-third of their needs.

The people of Na Huong village draw water from the spring for their daily needs.

Lacking sufficient clean water, many households have to buy additional water tanks or jointly invest in drilled wells. But what worries people more is the unreliable quality of the water source. Ms. Nguyen Thi Sinh, from sub-district 7, reported: Many households are using unfiltered natural water. During the dry season, from around October to April, the water supply is very low, and people have to carry water in buckets or barrels for daily use. Some even have to buy water, and those who cannot afford it rely on the sub-district's shared water source. At times, 4-5 households have to share one well. But by the peak of the dry season, in March and April, the well also starts to run dry.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung, Party Secretary and Head of Sub-district 7, said: The sub-district has 179 households with 656 residents, who previously used water from Mo Do for daily life. However, in recent years, the harsh climate and prolonged heatwaves have depleted the water source, while the demand for domestic water has increased significantly.

Furthermore, in the upstream area, some households have drilled wells without permission, affecting the natural flow of water supplying three villages and sub-districts. More worryingly, in the upstream water source area, households cultivating corn and fruit trees are still using pesticides and herbicides. This raises concerns among residents about the potential impact on the quality of their drinking water.

According to the Ta Hoc commune authorities, the shortage of clean water is occurring locally in many residential areas, significantly affecting the lives of the people. Mr. Bui Xuan Duy, Head of the Economic Department of Ta Hoc commune, said: The department has sent officials directly to the villages and sub-districts to survey and compile statistics on the water shortage situation and record the actual difficulties faced by the people. At the same time, they are advising the commune People's Committee to propose to the competent authorities to consider investing in a clean water supply system for the people.

The main water source supplying hundreds of households in Pat Ca village, Na Huong village, and Sub-district 7, Ta Hoc commune, is running dry.

With increasingly extreme weather conditions and prolonged dry seasons, the issue of clean water supply in Ta Hoc is becoming urgent. The local people hope for a stable and safe water source soon, so they no longer have to worry about water shortages every time the dry season arrives.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/ta-hoc-thieu-nuoc-sinh-hoat-cuc-bo-FxcwyH0vg.html