New direction for centralized water supply projects

(Baonghean.vn) Currently, in the rural areas of our province, there are 396 water supply works, including 317 self-flowing water supply works and 79 centralized water supply works (using pump technology).

Due to the nature of the self-flowing water supply works in mountainous areas, lacking management methods, the works are damaged, degraded and have no capital for repair, leading to the situation where the works cannot be effectively operated. Centralized water supply works using pump technology are a more effective operating model, due to investment in modern water treatment technology, having a specialized team and collecting money for clean water use, but due to management costs, electricity, operation, chemical purchase... while the water consumption in rural areas is very low, the water selling price is low, so many water supply works are not profitable. Faced with this reality, the Center for Domestic Water and Rural Environmental Sanitation has boldly requested the policy to receive and manage 3 centralized water supply works, namely: Hung Phuc Commune Water Supply Station, Hung Tan Commune Water Supply Station and Hung Thang Commune, Hung Nguyen District.

Hung Tan Commune Water Supply Station (Hung Nguyen)

With the support of all levels and functional sectors, after receiving and managing 3 water supply stations in Hung Nguyen, the center for domestic water and rural environmental sanitation has innovated the management apparatus, reorganized production and assigned authority and responsibility to each officer and worker in the water supply station...

With that innovation, the efficiency of water supply works has been gradually exploited and has been supported by the people. At the water supply works of Hung Phuc commune (capacity 400 m3/day), in 2009 the capacity used was only 27%, but after being handed over to the domestic water center for management, it has exploited over 50% of the capacity and in 2011, the clean water production output is expected to reach nearly 53,000 m3.

Hung Tan commune water supply station (capacity 300 m3/day), previously, the commune People's Committee was the investor and manager of the project. Due to lack of management skills, the project took a long time to construct and when completed, it did not operate effectively. After changing the owner, the water supply pipeline system was gradually expanded, exploiting the operating capacity of the water supply station well. In 2010, nearly 37,000 m3 of clean water was produced and supplied to the people of Hung Tan and neighboring areas. In 2011, it is expected to consume nearly 40,000 m3 of clean water. At Hung Thang commune water supply project (capacity 230 m3/day), the capacity is also well exploited. In 2010, 27,600 m3 of clean water was produced and in 2011, it is expected to reach more than 65,000 m3 of clean water.

Because clean water stations are all located in rural areas, there are not many customers using high-priced clean water in the business sector, so most of the water stations charge the same price. In the past, due to the increase in raw materials and chemicals for clean water production, while the price of clean water has not increased and the consumption of households is very low (on average, each household consumes only 3 - 5 m3 per month), the revenue is not enough to cover expenses. Every year, the Center for Domestic Water and Environmental Sanitation has to compensate for the losses of water stations. To create favorable conditions for water stations to operate effectively, it is necessary to have the attention and assistance of all levels and sectors, especially in supporting mechanisms, policies, and managing water loss... only then can businesses and functional units be encouraged to "be enthusiastic" about receiving clean water stations.

Vinh Hoang