The dead fish collected at Thac Gian and Vinh Trung lakes

According to Mai Ma, director of Danang Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Company, the dead fish have been detected at Thac Gian and Vinh Trung lakes located in the city centre since June 12.

Local environmental workers have gathered around one tonne of dead fish per day, mainly tilapia. The problem would last until the end of this week, so the company will arrange staff to dump the fish at Khanh Son rubbish dump in Lien Chieu District.

Regarding the cause, Ma said that the lakes have not yet been dredged for a long time and there had been sewage leaks, which would result in severe pollution. Pollution and the prolonged hot weather had led to the fish deaths.

Ma noted that five years ago, the company proposed setting up an oxygen supply system around two lakes to ease the pollution which would have cost VND2 billion (USD86,956).

The dead fish have affected the lives of local people who often have to close their doors to avoid bad odour.

A local coffee shop owner said that his shop has failed to attract customers due to the smell.

The municipal Department of Natural Resources and the Environment has instructed to take water samples for testing.

The department has recommended the city’s authorities to assign the Department of Construction to deal with the sewage leaks into the lakes.

Nguoi Lao Dong/Dtinews