Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited: Innovating to serve better

(Baonghean) - Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited manages 13 water supply systems with a total capacity of nearly 100,000 m3/day and night, and all of them apply modern production technology and equipment, so the clean water meets QC01-VN/2009/BYT standards (Ministry of Health standards).

Because of its pioneering role in applying new science and technology to production and the synchronized implementation of information technology and e-office systems, the company has been able to improve its management and customer service.

In Vinh City, through ADB loans, ODA, and corporate capital, Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited has invested in upgrading two modern, high-capacity water treatment plants. The Hung Vinh water treatment plant (producing clean water using modern European equipment) operates at its maximum capacity of 60,000 m3/day, providing water 24/7 to the people of Vinh City. The Vinh adjacent water treatment plant, with a capacity of 20,000 m3/day, actively supports the supply of clean water to Vinh City and surrounding areas.

In addition, maintenance and capacity upgrades were carried out at 13 water supply stations in the districts of Thanh Chuong, Do Luong, Tan Ky, Quy Chau, Quy Hop, Anh Son, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong, Ky Son, etc., to promptly meet the increasing demand for clean water from customers. In the first 10 months of 2016, the company supplied nearly 18.5 million cubic meters of clean water to customers.

Operating the water supply system at the Vinh suburban water treatment plant.

One of the key factors determining a business's success is boldly adopting information management systems. Nguyen Dinh Nhat, an IT engineer and head of the IT team at Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited, stated: “In June 2014, the company began implementing information management systems, and within just one month, successfully deployed customer management software throughout the area.”

This success has enabled the company to continue investing in and implementing software for installing, repairing, and renovating water supply systems for customers. Simultaneously, the company's member units have implemented a synchronized e-office system. By promoting the application of information technology in business management, the company operates more efficiently.”

During the investment and construction of water supply systems, the company always prioritizes investing in modern technology and equipment. Notably, in the Vinh suburban water supply project and industrial parks (funded by Finnish ODA), the company selected modern technology and equipment through international bidding and applied state-of-the-art European (EU) technology and machinery, especially the automatic control system from Rockwell - USA; this is one of the most modern systems currently available. Thanks to this comprehensive investment, the Vinh suburban water supply plant is considered to have one of the most modern technologies and equipment among water treatment plants in Vietnam.

Mr. Phan Cong Hoa, Deputy Director of the Vinh City Water Treatment Plant, stated: “Information technology plays a decisive role in the plant's production process. From the initial investment in raw water sources through the clean water treatment processes and distribution into the clean water supply network, everything is strictly managed and monitored. Therefore, despite a capacity of 20,000 m3/day, due to the application of advanced technology, each production shift only requires 3 managers and operating workers at the plant.”

As a company that consistently takes the lead in applying new technologies to production, it has received very practical and effective support in its operations. A prime example is the innovation in management and operation of the Scanda management system using high-tech equipment and modern computers. This allows the company to monitor water pressure throughout its entire water supply pipeline network, thereby proactively regulating and providing timely water supply to customers in the area.

Foreign experts guided officials and employees of Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited in developing software for managing water supply assets and implementing techniques and procedures to combat water loss and leakage.

Mr. Trinh Xuan Thang, Head of Planning and Technical Department, Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited, said: "Thanks to the application of enterprise management software, especially the Scanda management system and customer management software, we can proactively develop customers and plan investments, repairs, and upgrades to the water supply pipeline network."

Over the past period, the company has continued to expand its water supply network to key areas of the province such as: the water supply pipeline for the VSIP Industrial, Urban and Service Zone; Bac Vinh Industrial Park; Nam Cam Industrial Park, Cua Lo Town… At the same time, it invested in the D300 pipeline on Dang Thai Mai Street to supply clean water to the northeastern area of ​​Vinh City; and constructed the D200 pipeline on Pham Hong Thai Street to supply water to the southwestern area of ​​the city. Currently, the overall design of the pipeline network system according to the zoning model for Vinh City and its surrounding areas has been completed…”.

Recently, Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited has been actively implementing the Vinh City water loss prevention project (funded by the Asian Development Bank - ADB). To effectively carry out this important project, the international organization has supported the company in training its staff and workers in techniques and skills to prevent water loss and leakage, and in developing software for managing water supply assets.

Vites Evides International - Netherlands and Pure Technology - Belgium, two of the world's leading brands in the water supply sector, sent experts to support and guide the staff and workers of Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited in developing water supply asset management software and implementing techniques and procedures to combat water loss and leakage.

Operating the water supply system at Hung Vinh water treatment plant.

To facilitate the application of modern scientific and technological advancements in the water supply sector, Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited is developing pilot models for managing and implementing techniques and procedures to combat water loss and leakage in several areas of Vinh City.

In the pilot models, international experts directly guided officials and employees of Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited in using modern equipment and machinery to inspect the water supply network in the area, such as listening for and detecting water leaks, using sound waves to measure water flow and calibrate water meters, inspecting and replacing water meters, and improving water supply and water loss.

With investments in developing and applying information technology and business management, the company now has a fairly comprehensive IT infrastructure, including two parallel fiber optic lines to ensure secure and stable transmission, and dedicated server computers…

Mr. Nguyen Quang Duyen, Deputy Executive Director of Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited, said: “Currently, in the province, the company manages 13 water supply systems with nearly 105,000 customers using clean water. Thanks to the development of information technology in business management and the application of e-office, the company operates very efficiently. To meet the current development trend, Nghe An Water Supply Company Limited continues to boldly invest in applying information technology to business management in order to better serve customers.”

Hoang Vinh