Searching the forest for... a water plant

We had to struggle a lot to find the location of the Water Plant on a hill in Huong Son hamlet (now hamlet 2), Bai Son commune, after crossing a gloomy cajuput forest. Photo: Tien Dong

According to Mr. Dao Danh Ha - Chairman of the People's Committee of Bai Son Commune, in 2004, Bai Son Commune built a clean water project to supply more than 300 households in Huong Son and My Son hamlets, with an investment capital of more than 1.2 billion VND. By 2007, this project was completed and put into use. Photo: Tien Dong

According to the remaining nameplate, this is a national target project. However, after only a short time of use, this project was abandoned and left to deteriorate and deteriorate due to the sun and rain. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Nguyen Viet Xuan, former hamlet chief of Huong Son hamlet (Bai Son) said: the project started construction in 2004 and was not completed until 2007. After operating for a short time, due to insufficient operating costs, it had to stop operating. Even the counterpart money from the people, 310,000 VND per household, was not collected. Photo: Tien Dong

Nowadays, this project has been almost forgotten, surrounded by overgrown trees. Photo: Tien Dong

Currently, this project still has a water tower about 5m high located on the top of the mountain, a water tank about 80m3 and a guard house. Photo: Tien Dong

The entrance gate was also damaged and had not been looked after for a long time. Photo: Tien Dong

There is still some water left in the 80m3 tank. Photo: Tien Dong

Abandoned guardhouse, inside only a rotten bed frame remains. Photo: Tien Dong

At the foot of the hill is a well that used to supply raw water to the treatment plant. However, since the plant was abandoned, this well has been covered to prevent waste from falling down. Photo: Tien Dong

According to Mr. Ha, people in Bai Son commune are currently using drilled water for daily activities and drinking. Since the water plant was built but has not been operating effectively, the commune has not received any investment in water supply projects. The locality has repeatedly requested to connect to bring clean water from the Hoa Son Water Plant located about 4km away, but it has not been implemented yet. In the photo, the well protection box is full of waste inside. Photo: Tien Dong