Nghe An police investigate suspicions that a business took advantage of the rain to discharge waste into the Dao River.

On the morning of September 12, the water of the Dao River passing through Hung Nguyen district was still pitch black, with a strong stench. This is the main water source for clean water plants in the area.

Meanwhile, a source from Nghe An Police said that the Environmental Police Department has just sent a document requesting the Chairman of Hung Nguyen District People's Committee to direct relevant agencies to provide documents, including the agencies that build, operate, and manage the pipeline. At the same time, the district is requested to provide drawings and technical documents to investigate the suspicion that the enterprise took advantage of the rain to discharge untreated waste into the Dao River.

The Dao River in front of the factory gate is pitch black and smells foul. Photo: Tien Hung

Previously, on September 4, based on complaints from local residents, the Environmental Police Department discovered that rainwater mixed with oil and black wastewater was pouring into the Dao River from the storm drainage ditch north of Highway 46, which flows in front of a company's factory. The stench was strong. Police suspected that a nearby company was taking advantage of the rain to discharge untreated waste into the environment.

During the investigation, the police discovered a 60cm diameter concrete sewer pipe discharging black water into the environment at a manhole 15 meters from the fence of the factory. However, the discharge pipe connecting to the stormwater drainage ditch on Highway 46 was buried underground, making it difficult to verify the source of the discharge.

Dao River is the water source for the clean water plant that supplies domestic water to Vinh City and neighboring areas. Photo: Tien Hung

During the working process, Kim Lien Road Management Department (the unit managing National Highway 46) said that the unit built and managed the national highway section running through Hung Dao commune, including the above-mentioned stormwater drainage ditch area. However, the pipe section connecting to the stormwater drainage ditch in front of the beer company was not built by the unit. This stormwater drainage ditch also does not serve to drain wastewater, domestic water, or production.

During the process of verifying the incident, the representative of the above factory affirmed: "The factory does not have a connection point to discharge wastewater with the characteristics as mentioned in this rainwater drainage ditch."

SideEnvironmental police said that this is a case of taking advantage of the rain to discharge untreated industrial wastewater into the environment. This phenomenon has recurred many times, showing disregard for the law, causing environmental pollution, affecting people's lives. It is necessary to investigate, verify and strictly handle according to the provisions of the law.