VietNamNet Bridge – The quality of water supply resources for HCM City has declined due to pollution in the Dong Nai River, experts have warned.

The quality of water supply resources for HCM City has declined due to pollution in the Dong Nai River, experts have warned. — Photo baodongnai

"Most of the water supply resources for the city come from the Dong Nai River, but the water quality has declined due to economic development and urbanisation along the river," Dr. Nguyen Van Nga of the municipal Natural Resource and Environment Department was quoted as saying in Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper.

In 2015, the city needs 2.7 million cubic metres for daily usage and business production every day. The figure is expected to rise to 3.55 million cubic metres by 2025.

HCM City is the biggest city in Viet Nam, with a natural area of nearly 2,100 square km and a population of around 10 million.

The city's pace of urbanisation has been the fastest nationwide in recent years. From 1999 to 2009, the population increased annually by 3.5 per cent, and doubled between 1989 and 1999, 3.7 times higher than the 1979-1989 period.

Population density now is 3,400 people per sq km, an increase of nearly 42 per cent in comparison with 1999. In addition, the city has 14 industrial and processing parks along with 30 small industrial production clusters.

The increase in population and economic growth has led to serious pollution in waterways.

Water from the Dong Nai River and from Sai Gon – Dong Nai River, and within the city, has seen a severe decrease in quality.

The quality of underground water resources has also been affected, especially in nearby industrial and processing zones. And the proportion of waste water has climbed to 30 per cent.

Apart from booming economic growth and its environmental consequences, HCM City is among the top 10 cities in the world that suffer most from climate change.

In recent years, there have been more floods during the rainy season and more periods of severe drought during the dry season due to climate change. Nga said that rising sea levels would worsen flooding in the city.

Resource management

The city has launched several projects on water-resource management and protection, along with efforts to increase public awareness about water savings and promote new technology for effective water usage.

"Research has been conducted on the quantity and quality of water resources, and many policies have been created to improve management of water sources," Nga said.

A water quality measurement system has also been established to supervise changes in the quantity and quality of water resources.

"The city should increase international co-operation in water resource management with nations like Japan, Holland, France and South Korea, which have experience in these areas," he said.

HCM City concerns about clean water shortage

Dong Nai River is the main water supply source for Ho Chi Minh City. However, the quick urbanization speed of provinces and cities in the river valley has posed a challenge for the city in ensuring its water resource security, according to Dr. Nguyen Van Nga from the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Increasing pollution has been found in many canals in HCMC (Photo: SGGP)

HCM City needs 2.7 million cubic meters of water for household and production activities a day. This number is forecast to increase to 3.55 million cubic meters by 2025.

The country’s largest city covers 2,095 square kilometers with a population of nearly 10 million people. It also leads Vietnam in urbanization speed.

Population growth averaged 3.5 percent in 1999-2009, twice that in the previous decade. Population density was 3,399 people per square kilometers, up 41.4 percent over 1999. The city center saw it fivefold the suburb.

HCMC had only one industrial zone (IZ) in 1991, which has increased to 14 now. Besides, there are nearly 30 industry clusters and thousands of production establishments in residential areas.

The rapid urbanization speed has put the city in many issues including water source pollution.

In fact, water quality has reduced. The content of microorganism and oil has increased and exceeded permissible level at many positions. Dissolved oxygen content in water has been in reduction trend.

Organic pollution has risen in canal system especially in inner HCM City with very high microorganism ratio. Groundwater quality has worsened near industrial zones and highly populated areas.

On the other hand, water level on some aquifers has quickly dropped. The exploitation and use of water has been waste at many places sometimes with a high loss rate of over 30 percent.

Polluted water has badly affected residents’ life especially in places without faucet water.

Local authorities have applied many measures to manage and exploit water sources in a sustainable way. For instance, they have perfected urban space and land use plans, and industry plans for environmentally friendly development, as well as implementing climate change adaptation programs.

The city has also carried out many projects and issued regulations together with policies for the purpose.

However mechanisms and policies should be improved for better results. Local authorities should build an overall plan on water source management and step up cooperation with nations such as Japan, the Netherlands, France and South Korea to study and exchange their experiences in this filed, noted Mr Nga.

VNS/SGGP