Construction of the Kenh Nhanh Sluice to prevent saltwater intrusion in Kien Giang Province’s Rach Gia City.

According to a report from the Can Tho Department of Construction, of the figure, the Can Tho Water Supply and Sewerage Joint-Stock Company needs $10 million; the Can Tho Water Supply and Sewerage Joint Stock Company 2, $10 million; and the Centre for Clean Water and Rural Environmental Sanitation, $5 million.

The city also needs to borrow additional $25 million after 2030, according to the report.

Dao Anh Dung, vice chairman of Can Tho City People’s Committee, said Can Tho had organised many meetings to discuss the implementation of the project, which had been debated for years.

Dung, who spoke at a meeting with the World Bank on the proposed Mekong Integrated Water Security project on Monday, urged agencies to work with the bank to speed up implementation.

David Lord, specialist in charge of the project at the World Bank, said the project was still under discussion between the Ministry of Construction and other agencies.

“We will continue to discuss directly with not only Can Tho but all other localities on the issue as it relates to local water security of the entire region,” he added.

In addition, the World Bank would continue to offer technical support to the Ministry of Construction to help implement the project in the region.

According to Lord, the project will be implemented at both local and regional levels as this is a major water security programme for the Mekong Delta region.

The project, implemented by the Ministry of Construction with support from the World Bank, is expected to ensure supply of clean water for residents in the region. In addition, the project also deals with the collection and treatment of wastewater and drainage infrastructure.

“We want to enhance the water security for Can Tho as well as other Mekong Delta provinces,” he said.

According to a report from the Can Tho Department of Construction, from the 2025-30 period (phase 1), Can Tho would need 30,000 - 50,000cu.m of clean water per day from the project, and 70,000 - 100,000cu.m per day after 2030 (phase 2).

In 2017, the Ministry of Construction and the World Bank held a seminar on the first report of the project in Can Tho.

The project would cover an area of more than 24sq.km with a population of 9.4 million (in 2016). The overall proposed project has an investment of about $1.7 billion.

The project aims to enhance the use of water resources in the city of Can Tho and the provinces of Soc Trang, Hau Giang, An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau and Bac Lieu.

It would help sustain agricultural productivity, provide access to water supply, and contribute to climate change adaptation through integrated approaches toward water resource management. — VNS

Mekong Delta takes measures to reduce saltwater intrusion

Though saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta was predicted to come earlier and with higher level of salinity than that recorded in the 2015-2016 dry season, the damages to farming areas are expected to be less serious.

Mekong Delta provinces take steps to control saltwater intrusion

Authorities in provinces in the Mekong Delta and Can Tho city are dredging irrigation works and storing fresh water to cope with saltwater intrusion during the dry season.