Untreated waste from residential areas and resorts in Nha Trang City is suspected of polluting the Nha Trang Bay, which is listed among the world's 29 most beautiful bays.

The water turns black with foul odour at Dong Lang Dam

The water of a canal in Vinh Ngoc Commune has turned black from all the waste and has a foul smell. This water will flow into Cai River, the biggest river in Khanh Hoa Province, before entering Nha Trang Bay.

According to the communal authorities, the canal runs through Hong Nghe 2 and Xuan Ngoc villages so it might be polluted by households waste and the waste from the nearby I-Resort.

Le Van My, chairman of Vinh Ngoc Commune, said he wasn't sure if the mud has been treated but it should not be a problem as the mud was used in mud baths.

Pham Van Hung, manager of I-Resort said there was only rainwater and bath water from their area, the mud was from the construction site nearby. He denied any relation between the resort and the polluted canal.

Vo Tan Thai, director of the city Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said they would inspect the waste discharge activities, especially the section near Dong Lang Dam.

Recent reports on the marine protected area in Nha Trang Bay by the Institute of Oceanography showed that the bacterial level from the water and sediment had increased from last year. They also detected the appearance of many harmful algae in Cai River's estuary.

The report concluded that the overall lack of sanitation of the community and aqua farms were polluting the water. 

Nha Trang Bay is also being encroached by other constructions. Most recently, the Nha Trang Sao Park project faced public opposition for encroaching on to the bay.

Truong Kinh, former manager of Nha Trang Bay said, "Conservation must be the first priority, development should be based on conservation activities too or else we won't have anything to preserve in the future."

Nha Trang Bay covers 500 square kilometres with 19 islands. It is home to 350 kinds of coral, 230 types of fish, sea grass and mangrove forests. Vietnam's first marine conservation area was set up at Hon Mun Island, Nha Trang Bay.

Dtinews