Hanoi Sewage and Drainage Ltd. Company have recommended using water from the Red River to supply West Lake and to clean To Lich River.

To Lich River

The company on Wednesday held a seminar on solutions to improve the quality of West Lake’s water in a sustainable way.

At the meeting, the company chairman Vo Tien Hung said that West Lake’s water level has sharply decreased over the recent years due to evaporation and the underground osmosis. Rainwater is now the only supply for the lake. 

However, in the dry season, rainwater is limited, affecting the lake. Meanwhile, West Lake is being severely polluted.

“West Lake could die if the pollution is not dealt with and the water level continues to fall,” Hung said.

According to Hung, adding water into the West Lake is an urgent need. He suggested three main sources for this, consisting of using underground water through wells, water from Nhue River through canal systems and water from Red River.

Scientists agreed on using water from the Red River for West Lake and To Lich River.

Prof. Duong Thanh Luong who worked at Thuy Loi University said that the alluvium in the Red River was on the fall. This is not good for agricultural production but could be used for West Lake and To Lich River. 

“The lower alluvium will help to take water from Red River to the West Lake and To Lich River easier, but the Red River’s water level has tended to fall so it is necessary to consider the amount to be taken as well as the suitable time for the work," Luong noted.

Professor Mai Dinh Yen, vice chairman of the Vietnam Ecology Association, advocated the use of the Red River's water for the West Lake annually. He, however, said the work needs to ensure the safety for plants and animals in the lake.

Associate Prof. Ung Quoc Dung, former deputy headmaster of the National University of Civil Engineering University, said that Hanoi should have measures to add water to West Lake and clean the To Lich River.

Lao Dong/Dtinews