The Standing Committee of Nghe An Provincial People's Council held a session to explain the management of clean water production and business activities.

Comrades: Nguyen Nam Dinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council chaired the explanation session.

Attending the explanation session were comrades: Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Representative of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee; Standing members of the Provincial People's Council, and leaders of relevant departments, branches, units and localities.

Many problems and limitations in clean water production and business

In the past time, the Provincial People's Committee has led and directed the implementation of the management of clean water production and business activities in the province. Up to now, 20/21 urban areas have invested in building centralized clean water supply systems, with 7 water supply units managing and operating centralized water supply systems, the total water supply capacity of the urban areas is 183,800 m³/day and night.

The total number of urban residents using clean water is about 522,610 people. The rate of urban residents using clean water by August 2024 in urban areas of type IV or higher is about 82.25% and in urban areas of type V is about 90.75%.

In addition, the whole province has 561 concentrated rural domestic water supply works, of which 492 are self-flowing works in mountainous areas, 69 are pump-driven works in the plains and midlands, with a total design capacity of about 80,000 m³/day and night, providing domestic water for about 115,000 households of 160 communes/total 411 communes.

In recent times, attention has been paid to the management and development of urban water supply, and the water pipeline network has basically been invested in and built. Meanwhile, from 2020 to 2024, centralized water supply works in rural areas will not be newly invested in, but only allocated funds for repair and upgrading.

Attention is paid to the protection of water resources, water supply works, risk management and incident response solutions. Water quality management and control in the province are carried out regularly in accordance with the provisions of law.

In addition to the achieved results, the management of clean water production and business activities in the province still has many shortcomings and limitations. The planning and implementation of some clean water supply projects still have many shortcomings and lack of synchronization.

The current status of clean water supply works in the province has mostly been degraded and damaged after many years of use; clean water supply works in rural areas are small-scale, fragmented and scattered.

The development and approval of water supply plans is still limited. Most local authorities have not completed water supply planning and signed agreements to implement water supply services with water supply units as prescribed.

Investment in developing additional water supply pipeline networks in some urban areas is still slow and does not meet requirements; resources allocated for investment and development of water supply systems are still limited.

Some urban areas and concentrated rural residential areas still suffer from a lack of domestic water, lack of access to and lack of regular use of clean water according to demand. The proportion of rural people using clean water according to standards is still low compared to the national average.

Water quality management and control still has shortcomings and limitations, especially water quality of water supply works in rural areas.

At the explanation session, leaders of departments and branches explained and clarified the existing problems and limitations related to water supply network planning; management, operation and exploitation of water supply works; and the issuance and adjustment of clean water prices.

The sectors also explained and discussed the contents of the solution plan for the water supply system project of Hung Thong commune (Hung Nguyen); the policy of upgrading and expanding water supply plants; overcoming the high rate of urban water loss; handling administrative violations regarding clean water quality; the quality of raw water and clean water sources still has many parameters that do not meet standards...

Speaking at the session to explain, discuss and clarify the results, difficulties and shortcomings in the management of clean water production and business activities, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De said that in the coming time, the Provincial People's Committee will continue to direct the focus on investment, upgrading and renovating water supply infrastructure; in particular, the unfinished water plants will strive to be completed in the period of 2026-2030.

In addition, continue to review the planning to supplement and adjust; improve the management, operation and exploitation of water supply works in the direction of separating public and private sectors.

Encourage socialization of rural clean water supply; provide support solutions for water supply; strengthen inspection, monitoring and evaluation of input and output water sources to ensure the quality of water supplied to people.

Allocate resources, increase investment calls for clean water supply system

Concluding the explanation session, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Nam Dinh stated that since the beginning of the term, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council has organized 7 explanation sessions. Therefore, he requested the Provincial People's Committee to continue to direct and urge sectors, localities and units to implement; review and update regulations to achieve the highest efficiency.

Regarding the management of clean water production and business activities, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council requested the Provincial People's Committee to review, update and supplement the system of documents, especially in the planning to comply with legal regulations and practical conditions and actual needs in the province.

In addition, continue to review the management, use and exploitation of water supply works in general and clean water supply infrastructure assets invested by the State according to Decree No. 43 dated June 24, 2022 of the Government.

According to the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, there are still many projects that have not been completed, accepted, or settled. Many projects have been put into operation but have degraded during operation, with outdated technology, especially the pipeline system, affecting the quality of water sources, causing great losses.

Comrade Nguyen Nam Dinh also requested the Provincial People's Committee to direct authorities at all levels to sign agreements on water supply services with assigned units, especially water supply contracts between enterprises, wholesalers, retailers, connection procedures, water supply for urban areas, industrial parks, and residential areas. The Provincial People's Committee directed the Finance sector to request water supply units to develop a water price framework according to the 2023 Price Law. Arrange and integrate State resources, associated with calling for investment, mobilizing social resources to invest in the clean water production and supply system to ensure adequate supply.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Nam Dinh also requested enterprises and water supply units to innovate models, apply information technology and new technologies in management, operation, and supervision of production systems, and supply of clean water to ensure quality.

On the other hand, strengthen inspection and monitoring of input and output water quality; at the same time, strengthen information and propaganda to change and raise awareness and perception of water users.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council requested the Provincial People's Committee to direct the sectors to coordinate well with localities and units to advise on the management of clean water production and business activities in the province.

At the same time, strengthen the inspection and control of water quality; when necessary, strictly handle the acts of organizations and individuals in the production, supply and use of clean water in general and in particular, causing pollution of clean water sources and discharging wastewater that does not comply with regulations.