After floods, Quy Hop voters worry about polluted water sources

The 6th session of the People's Council of Quy Hop district took place on the afternoon of July 25, 2018. Regarding the issue of domestic water quality in Quy Hop town, although the test results of raw water samples were reported by the inspection unit on May 23, 2018 to be of good quality, voters of Quy Hop town still expressed their concerns, saying that it was not guaranteed when there was heavy rain and floods and when mineral exploitation enterprises discharged waste.

Voters recommended that the District People's Committee consult with Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company to speed up the replacement of old water pipes and replace the raw water source for Quy Hop Water Supply Station.

Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quy Hop district, Mr. Le Sy Hao informed voters about replacing the water source for Quy Hop Water Supply Station. Photo: Nhat Lan

Information to voters, according to Mr. Le Sy Hao - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, implementing the guidance of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Official Dispatch No. 1510/S.TNMT dated March 28, 2018 on solving the raw water source input for Quy Hop Water Supply Station, the District People's Committee worked with Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company. After that, they coordinated to survey and select the location of the raw water source input to ensure the quality and long-term water source.

The chosen location is the area near the new bridge in Chau Dinh commune, the water source is from Nam Choong stream.

Survey location of water supply for Quy Hop Water Supply Station near the new Chau Dinh bridge. Photo: Nhat Lan

Through analysis, the surveyed water source has quality that meets standards. Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company has sent Official Dispatch No. 398/CTCN dated June 25, 2018 to competent authorities for guidance.

However, up to now, the District People's Committee has not received a plan to relocate the raw water source for Quy Hop Water Supply Station.

Therefore, on July 10, 2018, the District People's Committee continued to issue Official Dispatch No. 544/UBND-TN on the early relocation of raw water sources into Quy Hop Water Supply Station to the Provincial People's Committee and relevant agencies, in which it recommended that the Provincial People's Committee direct relevant departments, branches and Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company to promptly implement.

Regarding the replacement of old water pipes, Mr. Le Sy Hao informed that Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company has responded in writing, and is expected to complete the renovation of 10km of old pipes in 2018.

However, concerns about water quality do not stop there. According to representatives of Chau Cuong and Chau Quang communes and Quy Hop town, voters are extremely concerned after the recent heavy rain and floods.

For Quy Hop town, the water is for daily life and drinking; for Chau Cuong and Chau Quang communes, the water is for production and livestock farming.

Therefore, immediately after the flood of storm No. 3, the authorities of Chau Cuong, Chau Quang communes and Quy Hop town organized water sampling at Nam Huong and Nam Ton streams and at the ditches to send to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for analysis and correct assessment of the current situation.

Quy Hop Town officials check the water sample seal before sending it to the district's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Photo: Nhat Lan

“We want to have more objective analysis. In addition to regular sampling, it is necessary to take samples during times of heavy rain and floods. During these times, waste from mineral exploitation areas often follows the rain and floods, causing environmental pollution…” - Mr. Luu Xuan Diem - Chairman of Chau Cuong Commune People's Committee commented.

The water sample taken by Chau Quang Commune People's Committee after the flood was cloudy yellow, with thick sediment at the bottom. Photo: Nhat Lan

Chairing the question-and-answer session, Mr. Phan Dinh Dat - Standing Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the District People's Council affirmed that the concerns about the quality of water sources of voters in Chau Cuong, Chau Quang communes and Quy Hop town are completely legitimate; and said that this is an issue that the District Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee are extremely concerned about.

Mr. Dat said: “At the online meeting of the Provincial Standing Committee with the Standing Committees of districts, cities and towns in mid-July 2018, the Secretary of the District Party Committee proposed two issues to the Provincial Standing Committee. One of them was about ensuring the quality of water sources.”

Mr. Phan Dinh Dat - Standing Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Quy Hop district discussed the issue of water quality at the question and answer session, 6th session, People's Council of Quy Hop district. Photo: Nhat Lan

Mr. Phan Dinh Dat said: “Everyone understands that the current water quality is not guaranteed, and when there is heavy rain and flooding, pollution will occur. Therefore, in response to this issue, the District Party Committee and People's Council will continue to assign the District People's Committee to make recommendations to competent authorities for consideration and resolution.”

Nhat Lan