Environmental pollution in hydroelectric reservoirs

This is an image of all kinds of waste "surrounding" the Khe Bo hydroelectric reservoir area, near the dam, in Tam Huong village, Tam Quang commune. Photo: NPV

And here is the image of garbage on the lake bed that the environmental officer recorded while standing at Khe Bo hydroelectric dam. Photo: NPV

According to the assessment of the People's Committee of Tam Dinh commune, the environmental pollution of Khe Bo lake is adversely affecting the health of people living in the residential villages of Dinh Huong, Dinh Thang, Dinh Tien, and Dinh Phong. Photo: NPV

Chairman of Tam Dinh Commune People's Committee, Mr. Vi Van Thang said: In early June, in response to World Environment Day, the District People's Committee directed the commune to mobilize forces and encourage people in the villages in the reservoir area to participate in collecting and treating garbage; erecting embankments to prevent garbage from drifting ashore... The Khe Bo hydropower reservoir has since had some less garbage. However, there is still a lot of garbage on the surface and there are still types of garbage left and submerged in the lake. Therefore, there is still pollution and bad odor in the surrounding areas of residential villages. Therefore, people have made recommendations to the District People's Council and People's Committee. In the photo: People in Tam Dinh commune participate in collecting and treating garbage in response to World Environment Day. Photo: NPV

Garbage surrounds the residential area of ​​Dinh Huong village, Tam Dinh commune. Photo: NPV

Waste in the Khe Bo hydropower reservoir area was recorded by officers of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tuong Duong district on August 23, 2021. Photo: NPV

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tuong Duong district, regarding the issue of pollution of Khe Bo hydropower reservoir, the District People's Committee has grasped it. On-site inspection, the situation of waste and pollution has occurred in most of the residential villages in the reservoir area. Currently, the waste is most concentrated in Tam Huong village, Tam Quang commune, leading to pollution in this area and also causing traffic congestion on the waterway. The sedimentation of the reservoir is also very worrying. At the 2nd session of the District People's Council, last July, this issue was also discussed and a solution was found to resolve it. Because ensuring the environment of the reservoir is the responsibility of the investor of the hydropower plant (as stated in Official Dispatch No. 854/UBND-CN dated February 20, 2020 of the Provincial People's Committee on the collection of waste in the reservoir), the District People's Committee has sent a report to the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. In particular, it is recommended that the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment direct hydropower plants to fulfill their responsibility of collecting and treating waste, ensuring environmental sanitation in the reservoir.