VietNamNet Bridge – Water found in some 71 per cent of Hanoi’s wells is contaminated with higher than permitted levels of phosphate.

The overexploitation of water nationwide increases the level of arsenic in groundwater, exceeding the permitted level of 10mg per litre. Illustrative Photo. — Source vietnamplus.vn

This was revealed in a research conducted by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment.

Groundwater in the northern mountainous provinces of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang has higher iron levels than permitted, reaching more than 1mg per litre. At some places, concentrated around sulphide mines, this level is 15mg to 20mg per litre.

The overexploitation of water nationwide increases the level of arsenic in groundwater, exceeding the permitted level of 10mg per litre.

Areas polluted with arsenic are mostly those contaminated with high levels of ammoniac, mainly in the northern delta and Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

The research by the institute also showed that in many cities, lakes contain waste water, blocking the water flow.

The majority of lakes in the inner cities are contaminated with organic and nutritious substances at various levels.

In large cities, untreated waste water is discharged directly into the environment by hundreds of industrial manufacturing facilities. This is the main cause of environmental pollution.

The development of industry and trade villages and the use of fertilisers, pesticides in agriculture primarily cause groundwater pollution, the research said.

The waste water released by textile, paper and paper powder factories has high levels of cyanide and ammonia, which is 84 times higher than the permitted limit.

Researchers said that until now, the damage caused to human health and livelihoods due to water pollution has not been assessed. Therefore, financial compensation on losses caused by water pollution and the subject of compensation have not been regulated. 

Source: VNS