Some test indicators of tap water in Vinh are not up to standard.

On June 22, Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC Nghe An) reported the results of testing and monitoring clean water quality in Vinh city from April 1, 2022 to present.

According to Nghe An CDC, on June 12, after receiving a petition from people about the phenomenon of polluted tap water, Nghe An Department of Health directed the Center for Disease Control to suddenly collect 3 water samples from Hung Vinh Water Plant (belonging to Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company), including: (1 water sample at the plant, 2 water samples at people's homes) to evaluate at the laboratory of Nghe An Center for Disease Control according to 26 parameters of QCDP 01:2021/NA.

Vinh City residents have had to pay for dirty water for many months now. Photo: NDCC

The results showed that all 3 water samples did not meet QCDP 01:2021/NA. Specifically, the water sample at the factory had 1 parameter that did not meet the standard, which was Manganese (Mn) 0.173 mg/L (allowable limit: 0.1 mg/L).

Water sample at Pham Duc Lam household - Quang Trung Block - Vinh Tan Ward - Vinh City has 4 parameters that do not meet the standards: Coliforms 20 CFU/100 mL (allowable limit <3 CFU/100 mL); E.coli 5 CFU/100 mL (allowable limit <1 CFU/100 mL); Permanganate index 2.56 mg/L (allowable limit: 2mg/L); Manganese (Mn) 0.292 mg/L (allowable limit: 0.1mg/L).

As for the water sample at Bui Thi Thu's household - Block 3 - Ha Huy Tap Ward - Vinh City: there are 2 parameters that do not meet the standards: Permanganate index 2.08 mg/L (allowable limit: 2mg/L) and Manganese (Mn) 0.206 mg/L (allowable limit: 0.1mg/L).

Previously, on April 18, 2022, after receiving a petition from local residents about the contamination of tap water in the area, Nghe An Center for Disease Control conducted a surprise inspection and collected 4 water samples. Including 3 samples tested and evaluated 24 parameters according to capacity at the laboratory of Nghe An Center for Disease Control and 1 sample sent to the Institute of Occupational Health and Environment for testing and evaluating 98 parameters. The results showed that 1 water sample collected at a resident's house failed.

On June 15, Nghe An Center for Disease Control continued to conduct random sampling of 6 water samples from Hung Vinh Water Plant, including: 1 water sample at the plant, 5 water samples at residents' homes. Of which, 2 samples were sent to the Institute of Occupational Health and Environment (1 water sample at the plant, 1 water sample at a resident's home) to test 98 parameters of QCDP 01:2021/NA; 4 water samples at residents' homes were tested according to the capacity of the Center for Disease Control. So far, there are no results.

Also in this report, CDC Nghe An recommends that Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company fully report incidents affecting clean water quality to management agencies, local authorities and people. Promptly fix incidents, take clean water samples for testing when fixed and fully report the results of the fix.

CDC also recommends that the Department of Construction take the lead and coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to conduct inspections of clean water supply activities. Enhance the role and responsibility of Vinh City People's Committee and People's Committees of wards and communes in clean water quality management in the area. Increase people's participation in clean water quality management activities, promptly report any abnormalities to water supply units, local authorities and management agencies.

Meanwhile, according to a report on June 14 by Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company, immediately after receiving feedback from people about dirty water, the company deployed a water source zone and sent 2 water samples (1 sample taken at the factory, 1 sample taken at the discharge point) for testing. The results showed that the quality of clean water at the treatment plants always meets the standards of the Ministry of Health....

Tien Hung