VietNamNet Bridge - The expansion of administrative boundaries and rapid urbanization have put pressure on the network of rivers and lakes in Hanoi.

Hanoi leads the country in the number of rivers and lakes with 122 lakes in the inner city and 185 in the suburbs, and 13 rivers. 

The rivers and lakes play an important role in the urban drainage system to prevent flooding. Moreover, the lakes, together with surrounding architectural space, create a special character for Hanoi.

But the lakes and rivers are seriously polluted. In 2010, Hanoi authorities had to launch a campaign to rescue lakes because the pollution was serious. Nearly 50 large corporations committed to donate VND900 billion to rescue 45 lakes on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi’s establishment. 

The improvement of Thach Ban 1 and Thach Ban 2, the first project of the campaign, was fulfilled six months later.

The municipal authorities have approved a plan on reviving four rivers – Day, Nhue, To Lich and Tich, under which from now to 2020, waste water will be driven to the concentrated waste water treatment system before running to rivers and lakes. 

During that period, all the lakes in the inner city and with historical value will be treated.

As tests all showed that the ammonium, coliform and phosphate content in Kim Nguu, To Lich, Set, Nhue and Lu rivers’ water exceeded permitted levels, in 2013, Hanoi put the Yen So waste water treatment plant into operation. 

The 200,000 cubic meter per day plant collects and treats wastewater of Set and Kim Nguu rivers. Later, in late 2016, Hanoi started the construction of the 270,000 cubic meter per day Yen Xa waste water treatment plant in Thanh Tri district).

Hanoi has also spent another trillions of dong on a lot of waste water collection and treatment projects in Ha Dong and Son Tay, 45,000 and 20,000 cubic meters per day, respectively, and the 84,000 cubic meter Phu Do treatment system.

Since September 2016, Hanoi has been gathering its strength to treat the lakes’ polluted water with Redoxy-3C. The solution has brought good results, praised as a breakthrough in environment improvement. 

To date, Hanoi has fulfilled the treatment of 87 lakes in the inner city and 44 in the suburbs, and has dredged sludge in 8 lakes. 

The local residents in the areas have applauded the city-initiated program on improving lakes’ environment. However, some of them have expressed concern that the lakes may get polluted again as the sources of pollutants still exist.

A cultural researcher commented that Hanoi can protect its beauty only if can protect lakes, rivers and other intangible values.

RELATED NEWS

Hanoi's pond and lake pollution reaches alarming levels

97 percent of lakes in Hanoi are polluted

Kim Chi