Problems in the project to upgrade the wastewater treatment system in Thai Hoa

Continuing the monitoring program on the implementation of policies and laws on management and use of foreign loans in the period 2010-2016 in the province, on the morning of March 14, the monitoring delegation of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation had a working session with the People's Committee of Thai Hoa town.

The National Assembly's Supervisory Delegation conducted a field survey of the Thai Hoa Town Drainage and Wastewater Treatment System Project using foreign loans (World Bank WB). Photo by Thanh Le

In the period of 2011 - 2016, Thai Hoa town had the Thai Hoa town drainage and wastewater treatment system project using foreign loans (World Bank WB) with Thai Hoa town People's Committee as the investor. The project has a total investment of 359,527 billion VND, equivalent to 15.84 million USD. Of which, WB loan capital is 12.4 million USD; counterpart capital is 3.44 million USD.

Up to now, WB loan capital of 275 billion/281.45 billion VND has been disbursed, reaching 97.71% of committed capital; counterpart capital of 63.46 billion VND/78.08 billion VND, reaching 81.28%.

The project is implemented in 3 wards of Long Son, Hoa Hieu and Quang Tien with the construction of rainwater drainage network, wastewater drainage and treatment plant with capacity of 4,500m3/day and night. Currently, all packages have completed construction and have been put into trial operation.

Automatic wastewater pumping station. Photo by Thanh Le

According to the assessment of the leaders of Thai Hoa town, the Project contributes to improving the environmental conditions of urban areas through the construction of drainage, wastewater and wastewater treatment works; reducing environmental pollution in urban areas, improving the quality of life for people, promoting socio-economic development, infrastructure, creating conditions to attract investors to Thai Hoa town.

Mr. Hoang Phu Hien - Chairman of Thai Hoa Town People's Committee said that the current problem is the licensing of wastewater discharge. Specifically, the wastewater treatment plant was built with wastewater treatment technology meeting column B-QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT in compliance with the approved environmental impact assessment report of the project, but when the project is completed, due to changes in water resources planning, the requirement for post-treatment wastewater to meet column A-QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT is required to be discharged.

The wastewater treatment system is connected directly to people's homes. Photo by Thanh Le

However, if switching to type A treatment technology, an additional cost of about 15 billion VND is needed.

According to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Hoa town, the difficulty of the locality is that the project is implemented according to the signed agreement and the approved documents of the World Bank. Therefore, this additional funding must be approved by the World Bank.

"The Town People's Committee has reported to the departments, branches and the Provincial People's Committee, and at the same time requested to set up a separate project to adjust and change the treatment technology of the factory so that the wastewater reaches type A," said Mr. Hien.

Thai Hoa town also requested the province to pay attention to arranging counterpart funds to meet the progress of bidding packages using foreign loans; granting temporary discharge permits for the project so that Thai Hoa town People's Committee has a basis to access the next funding from the World Bank (Currently, Thai Hoa town is completing procedures to invest in phase 2 using surplus capital from the WB).

The Supervisory Delegation worked with the leaders of Thai Hoa Town People's Committee. Photo by Thanh Le

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien - Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, Head of the monitoring delegation affirmed that this is a practical project, contributing to promoting socio-economic development, solving environmental problems, improving health, and improving the lives of people in Thai Hoa town. At the same time, solving environmental problems in difficult budget conditions cannot be implemented.

The Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation highly appreciated the process of consulting and implementing the foreign loan project that Thai Hoa town proactively followed, in accordance with state regulations. The investor properly implemented the requirements in basic construction investment management and ensured the right progress.

At the same time, Thai Hoa town is requested to strictly comply with the reporting and management regime, complete the remaining procedures for project settlement. Continue to work with relevant agencies to promptly issue discharge permits in accordance with regulations; maintain, manage, and operate the project effectively. At the same time, accelerate the implementation of phase II of the project.