Water downstream of Ban Ve hydropower plant has 'strange smell'

In response to this reflection, on December 31, 2019, the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district assigned the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with Luong Minh and Yen Na communes to conduct a field inspection; take water samples at many different locations. Of which, 2 samples were taken at the Nam Non Hydropower Reservoir when Ban Ve Hydropower Plant had not yet generated electricity (at 4:30 p.m.), and one sample at the location of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant when it generated electricity (5 p.m.).

Water at Khe Chong on January 8, 2020 (about 1 km from Ban Ve Hydropower Dam) is blue. Photo: Nhat Lan

Through observation with the naked eye, the water at the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant location when generating electricity changes from blue to black; at the Nam Non Hydropower Reservoir location from Luong Minh commune to Hoa Binh town, the water is blue-black.

Regarding the smell of water, at the location of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant when it is generating electricity, there is a strong, unpleasant odor; at the location of Nam Non Hydropower Reservoir when Ban Ve Hydropower Plant has not generated electricity, there is a foul odor.

The water in Nam Non Hydropower Reservoir is darker than the water in Chong Stream (photo taken on January 8, 2019). Photo: Nhat Lan

Faced with this reality, on January 3, 2020, the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district issued Document No. 02/UBND-NL on handling the environmental pollution scene in the downstream area of ​​Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir to the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Industry and Trade, Environmental Protection Sub-Department, Power Generation Corporation I and Hydropower Project Management Board 2.

In the document reporting the people's feedback, the on-site inspection was conducted, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Environmental Protection were requested to promptly inspect and assess the cause and level of pollution in the downstream area of ​​Ban Ve Hydropower Plant to warn people and find solutions.

Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tuong Duong district, Mr. Nguyen Phung Hung, took water samples at Chong stream, the point where Ban Ve bridge was broken in 2018 (photo taken on January 8, 2020). Photo: Nhat Lan

On January 8, 2020, together with officers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tuong Duong district, we visited the foot of Ban Ve Hydropower Dam and found that the water in this area was blue and clear, but had an unpleasant odor.

Contacting an officer of Ban Ve Hydropower Company, we were told that the Company had proactively assigned officers to collect water samples for appraisal; at the same time, it was said that the Department of Natural Resources and Environment had also sent officers to inspect the scene and collect water samples. “We are currently waiting for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to announce the results of the appraisal of the water samples…” - an officer of Ban Ve Hydropower Company shared.

Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tuong Duong district collects water from Chong stream which has a foul smell but is quite clear (photo taken on January 8, 2020). Photo: Nhat Lan

Checking the information, it is known that after receiving Document No. 02/UBND-NL of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, the leaders of the Department of Environmental Protection directed the staff to inspect the scene and take water samples for appraisal. The representative of the Department of Environmental Protection informed: "The Department has taken 6 water samples, including water samples from Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir to conduct appraisal...".