VietNamNet Bridge - Only 58 of 1,400 water samples collected in seven suburban districts of HCM City satisfy physical and chemical indicators, while the rest have a low pH and high iron content.

HCM City Vice Chairman Nguyen Huu Tin checks water quality at a family in the suburban district of Cu Chi.

According to a report of the HCM City People’s Committee, the city has more than 1.8 million households but more than 358,300 households don’t have access to safe water or treated groundwater.

The city randomly collected 1,400 water samples from the households of Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Nha Be, Binh Tan, Thu Duc and District 12 for testing and only 58 samples met physical and chemical standards, equivalent to 4.14%.

"Most of the samples failed to meet physical and chemical indicators because of the low pH and high iron content. Thus, the quality of water at most of the tested locations does not meet standards of the Ministry of Health," the report acknowledged.

The HCM City authorities have instructed relevant agencies to inform local people of the test and guide them to treat and use water safely.

The Saigon Water Supply Corporation (SAWACO) was assigned to design household-sized water treatment equipment and promote the use of the equipment in some districts.

The city has also asked district administrations and related agencies to develop water supply network and upgrade water stations in the suburbs.

Thu Ly