The results of water pollution in Sao stream in Nghia Dan district are clear.

Authorities conducted a field survey of some locations on the Sao stream in Nghia Yen commune and found that the water was the color of cockroach wings, the surface of the water had a scum, and some locations had a few dead fish. However, when surveying the Tong Kho stream in Bai Tranh commune, above the Sao stream, the water was clear and no dead fish were found.

"Currently, Sao stream has very little water, only stagnant in low-lying holes, almost no flow; upstream of Sao stream (about 3 km) there are no industrial production activities, no wastewater source into Sao stream other than domestic wastewater of some households and wastewater from livestock farming activities of Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company," the report stated.

Notably, during the inspection on July 5, 2024, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province took 2 wastewater samples from the farm (wastewater sample after treatment at the outlet to the reservoir and wastewater sample at the wastewater reservoir); and 4 surface water samples (2 samples at Sao stream; 1 water sample at Tong Kho stream - the section before flowing through the farm area; 1 water sample at the stream from the farm flowing into Tong Kho stream).

The analysis results then showed that the wastewater sample at the wastewater reservoir had a COD index exceeding 1.3 times; BOD5 exceeding 1.68 times; Coliform exceeding 7 times. The analysis results of 4 surface water samples compared with the National Technical Regulation on surface water quality showed that 2 samples taken at Sao stream and 1 sample taken at the stream from the farm flowing into Tong Kho stream had a BOD5 index at level D; the COD index, P index, total N index in the 2 samples taken at Sao stream and the stream from the farm flowing into Tong Kho stream were all at level D...

It is worth mentioning that according to the National Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality, an index of level D means that the water is of very poor quality, which can greatly affect fish and other organisms living in the aquatic environment due to low dissolved oxygen concentration and high concentration of pollutants. Water can be used for waterway transportation purposes and other purposes with low quality water requirements. Meanwhile, Sao stream (also known as Ang stream, Lam Sinh stream) is one of the main streams of the Sao River, providing irrigation water and domestic water for Nghia Yen and Nghia Mai communes of Nghia Dan district.

Danger lurking

From the results of water sample analysis, on July 17, 2024, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province issued Report No. 6402/STNMT-BVMT affirming that the treated wastewater from the pig farm of Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company discharged into the reservoir after a period of re-pollution due to long-term stagnation and due to the impact of weather conditions (prolonged heat) leading to an increase in the concentration of pollutants in the water. Because the reservoir was not lined with a tarpaulin to ensure waterproofing, water leaked and seeped into Sao stream. Thus, the reflection of the people and local authorities of Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province and Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province about the pig farming activities of Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company causing environmental pollution of Sao stream is well-founded.

The report of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province also concluded that the analysis results of the water samples from Tong Kho stream before passing through the farm were of good quality, while the water from Sao stream and the stream flowing from the farm to Tong Kho stream were of poor quality, with many high levels of organic and nutritional pollution indexes, which did not meet the goal of protecting human health if this water source was used, and could have a major impact on fish and other organisms living in the aquatic environment.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province has drawn up a record of administrative violations in the field of environmental protection against Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company for the following violations: Discharging wastewater (through osmosis from wastewater ponds into the environment) containing normal environmental parameters exceeding technical standards on waste; Failure to properly implement one of the contents of the granted Environmental License, with a total fine of more than 120.3 million VND.

At the same time, Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company is required to pump all treated water from the reservoir back to the wastewater treatment system for re-treatment, ensuring that the quality of treated water meets Vietnamese standards; reinforce the bottom of the reservoir to ensure waterproofing and prevent leakage of wastewater containing pollution parameters into Sao stream, to be completed before August 5, 2024; install pipes, signs, and instructions for wastewater discharge points from the farm to Tong Kho stream according to the coordinates of the granted Environmental License; install a flow meter to measure the volume of wastewater discharged into the environment, measure circulating water for watering plants, and reuse water for other purposes; install a separate electricity meter for the wastewater treatment system, fully record information on the wastewater treatment system's operating log...

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province also requested the People's Committee of Nghia Dan district to inform local people about the results of inspection, handling and resolution of the reflection of the competent authorities of Thanh Hoa province on Bai Tranh farm of Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company; continue to grasp the situation, ideological developments and public opinion among the people, ensure security and order in the area; promptly prevent extremist acts, and at the same time, strictly handle subjects who take advantage of the situation to incite people to gather in large numbers, hindering project implementation.

Immediately after the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province issued Report No. 6402 on July 24, 2024, the People's Committee of Nghia Dan district also issued Notice No. 1268/UBND-TNMT announcing the results of the inspection and handling of the petitions of the people of Lam Sinh village, Nghia Yen commune.

Mr. Tran Manh Ha - Vice Chairman of Nghia Dan District People's Committee said that the fact that Thanh Hoa province's functional agencies presided over and coordinated with relevant departments, branches and localities, including inviting Lam Sinh villagers, Nghia Yen Commune People's Committee and Nghia Dan District People's Committee to participate in field inspection and sample collection shows responsibility and determination in solving environmental pollution problems.

“

Currently, the district has also informed the people about the handling results and assigned the People's Committee of Nghia Yen commune to carry out State management of the environmental field according to current regulations. The first step is to supervise the complete handling of the pollution problem that the competent authorities of Thanh Hoa province have pointed out.

Mr. Tran Manh Ha - Vice Chairman of Nghia Dan District People's Committee