Early replacement of raw water source for Quy Hop Water Supply Station

Province interested, industry urged

Regarding the raw water source of Quy Hop Water Supply Station, in Conclusion No. 6947 dated December 25, 2017, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment announced the analysis results for surface water samples taken at the raw water pumping station at the factory's entrance with TSS parameters exceeding 2.1133 times, Arsenic exceeding 1.35 times, surfactants exceeding 2 times, Chromium exceeding 1.05 times; for surface water samples taken 100m upstream from the raw water pumping station at the factory's entrance, TSS parameters exceeded 2.533 times, Arsenic exceeding 1.35 times.

Regarding the treatment measures, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requested Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company to have a solution to treat the quality of input raw water to ensure water supply standards for the people. At the same time, coordinate with local authorities to conduct surveys and select locations to take other input raw water sources to replace the current water supply source to ensure long-term stability.

Raw water treatment area at Quy Hop Water Supply Station. Photo: Ha Giang

Voters in Quy Hop town were also very concerned and worried. Many households have switched to using rainwater, well water, or bought equipment to filter tap water; in addition, there have been petitions sent to authorities at all levels, relevant sectors and the Provincial People's Council.

On February 12, 2018, the petition of Quy Hop voters was specifically stated by the Provincial People's Council in Report No. 17/BC-HĐND (on the synthesis of voters' opinions and petitions during and after the 5th session - Provincial People's Council, term XVII) sent to the Provincial People's Committee. Report No. 17 of the Provincial People's Council clearly stated: "Quỳ Hợp district voters reflected that the raw water source of the Water Supply Station was polluted, the water quality did not meet the permitted standards, the pipeline system had deteriorated and was slow to be replaced...". At the same time, the Provincial People's Council requested the Provincial People's Committee to accept and promptly direct provincial departments, branches and Quy Hop district to consider and resolve according to their authority.

On February 28, 2018, the Provincial People's Committee issued Document No. 1176/UBND-TH on resolving voters' opinions and recommendations during and after the 5th session, term XVII, in which the Department of Natural Resources and Environment was assigned to preside over resolving the issue that Quy Hop voters had reflected.

According to Mr. Bach Hung Cu - Head of the Department of Water Resources - Sea and Islands (Department of Natural Resources and Environment), the Department has reported the process of resolving voters' petitions to the Provincial People's Committee. At the same time, on March 28, 2018, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment issued Official Dispatch No. 1510 to Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company with the content of urging this unit to seriously implement the handling measures that the Department had pointed out at the end of 2017.

Regarding the replacement of raw water source for Quy Hop Water Supply Station, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requires Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company to conduct a survey, select a location, design, and establish a project; at the same time, report to the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on the implementation results before April 30, 2018.

Regarding the Department of Construction, on April 19, 2018, Official Dispatch No. 777 was issued on "ensuring the quality of raw water and clean water sources to provide safe water for people and customers in Quy Hop town" to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Quy Hop District People's Committee, Quy Hop Town People's Committee, and Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company.

In Official Dispatch 777, the Department of Construction requested Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company to immediately: "Coordinate with the People's Committee of Quy Hop district and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to organize the selection of raw water sources at new locations to ensure reserves and quality according to regulations, submit to competent authorities for approval to replace the old raw water source to supply to Quy Hop town water supply station".

The location determined to take the new raw water source is only about 2km from Quy Hop Water Supply Station. Photo: Ha Giang

Water samples are being analyzed.

According to Mr. Le Sy Hao - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quy Hop district, in order to have data to report to the authorities for permission to select a location to change the raw water source for Quy Hop Water Supply Station, on April 16, 2018, Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company requested the People's Committee of Quy Hop district and the People's Committee of Quy Hop town to coordinate in collecting raw water samples. The sampling location is in Chau Dinh commune, where water flows from Nam Son and Bac Son communes. By April 18, 2018, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quy Hop district, representatives of the People's Committee of Quy Hop town and Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company had completed the collection of raw water samples.

“The water sampling location is Nam Choong stream flowing through Chau Dinh commune, about 200m from Dinh river. We are currently waiting for Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company to announce the results of water sample analysis...” - Mr. Le Sy Hao shared.

According to an exchange with Nghe An Newspaper reporters on April 23, 2018, a representative of Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company said that raw water samples had been sent to the Provincial Center for Preventive Medicine for analysis.

“As soon as the results are available, we will send a notice to relevant agencies. In case the water samples meet quality standards, Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company will establish a project to replace the raw water source supplied to Quy Hop Water Supply Station to submit to the Provincial People's Committee and relevant agencies. If the water samples do not meet quality standards, Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company will continue to coordinate with Quy Hop District People's Committee and Quy Hop Town People's Committee to survey and find other water sources...” - said a representative of Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company.

According to the leaders of Quy Hop district, replacing the raw water source to ensure the quality of the Water Supply Station is a legitimate wish of voters of Quy Hop town. Therefore, we hope that the Provincial People's Council, Provincial People's Committee, Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Department of Construction will pay attention so that Nghe An Water Supply Joint Stock Company can soon replace the raw water source as mentioned above.