Dong Thanh: "Thirsty" for clean water

(Baonghean) - The domestic water source in Dong Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) is polluted due to the residue of pesticide warehouses and the situation of untreated livestock waste being discharged directly into the environment, causing water pollution. The water source is not guaranteed but very few households here have access to clean water from the centralized water plant.

Khe Cai water source serves the domestic water needs of many households in Dong Hoa hamlet (Dong Thanh - Yen Thanh), but recently, this water source has been seriously polluted due to untreated wastewater and manure from pig and chicken farms of some households in the hamlet being dumped into Khe Cai. Ms. Tran Thi Ngoi in Dong Hoa hamlet was upset: “Previously, Khe Cai water source was very clean and people in the area often took water for daily use, but now the water source is too polluted and cannot be used. People in this area already have difficulty with clean water, now Khe Cai water is polluted, which has greatly affected people's lives”.

In Dong Hoa hamlet, surface water is not only scarce, but also polluted by livestock waste and pesticides. In the hamlet, many families have invested millions of dong in drilling wells, but the water pumped up is yellow and cloudy, and is only used for bathing and washing. Surface water and underground water are both polluted, so having a clean water source is the wish of the people. Although the economy of Mrs. Tran Thi Ngoi's family in Dong Hoa hamlet is still difficult, because of the need to use clean water, the family saved up and borrowed 10 million dong to build a rainwater tank that can hold 12 m3, and this source is only used for cooking and drinking water. If saved, it can be used for several months.

Not only Mrs. Ngoi's family, many families here have to invest in building rainwater tanks and depending on the conditions and circumstances of each family, they can build large or small water tanks. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bay's family has 6 members, so the need for clean water is very large. The family also had to save money and borrow more than 30 million VND to build a water tank that can hold more than 30 m3 of rainwater. Ms. Bay said: "The rainwater tank was completed in April 2013 and this is one of the largest tanks in Dong Thanh commune. However, the family still has to use it very economically, only for cooking, and for bathing and washing, they use the well." Dong Hoa hamlet has 160 households, but not many families have enough money to invest in building a large water tank. Mr. Nguyen The Tuyen, Head of Dong Hoa Hamlet, said: "In the hamlet, only a few dozen households have built large rainwater tanks that are enough to meet their daily needs. Many other families do not have enough money to build tanks, so they always lack clean water. Therefore, we hope that authorities and sectors will pay attention and support people to borrow capital to invest in building rainwater tanks."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bay's family in Dong Hoa hamlet, Dong Thanh invested in building a rainwater tank of more than 30m3.

Dong Thanh is one of the localities with seriously polluted water sources due to the consequences of pesticide warehouses. Here, the State has invested in building a centralized water supply project with a total capital of more than 6.2 billion VND and modern technology, water meets the standards of the Ministry of Health. However, due to the limited capacity of the factory and the asynchronous water supply pipeline system, only about 340 households in Vu Ky and Hong Ky hamlets can use clean water from this meaningful project. Due to the seriously polluted domestic water source, all levels and sectors are interested in and support investment for 88 households to borrow capital (each household can borrow 8 million VND) to invest in building small-scale water supply projects such as rainwater tanks, water tanks and renovating and building toilets... However, many households still have to live in a state of lack of domestic water.

Mr. Thai Van Thanh - Chairman of Dong Thanh Commune People's Committee said: "Due to polluted water sources, it is difficult to provide domestic water for people. The commune has 1,800 households with 8,400 people, but the percentage of people using water that meets standards is very low. Therefore, the commune is promoting investment in developing the clean water pipeline network of the water plant in Vu Ky - Hong Ky hamlet. If this project is implemented, nearly 700 more households in Dong Phuc hamlet, Dong Phu will be able to use clean water that meets the standards of the Ministry of Health. Currently, due to the urgent need for clean water, the commune has supported 20 million VND to work with the kindergarten and secondary school to install 500m of water pipeline to the school to serve students".

Access to clean water is a legitimate aspiration of the people, especially in areas polluted by pesticides such as Dong Thanh. It is necessary to invest in building centralized water supply works with large capacity, modern equipment and water treatment technology to meet the people's need for clean water.

Vinh Hoang