Sai Gon River reaches risky waste levels, reports study

HCM CITY — Environmental experts have reported that heavy fecal pollution is contaminating the Sai Gon River and that resulting traces of coliform bacteria are in excess of authorised levels.

After a month-long investigation, a fact-finding mission unveiled that the most affected segments of the waterway run from the inner-city Thanh Da Peninsula to the Phu Long Bridge, bordering the town of Lai Thieu in the southern province of Binh Duong.

The mission was carried out by the Southern Irrigation Planning and Investigating Sub-Institute, in collaboration with the municipal Department of Science, Technology DST and the Phu Nhuan District’s People’s Committee.

Experts analysed 31 water samples from the Sai Gon River and discovered that in addition to the coliform bacteria the river was receiving large quantities of industrial waste, banning the water resource for irrigation, aquaculture and farming use.

Research pointed out that the branch connecting the Sai Gon River to the Tham Luong Rivulet takes in the largest volumes of untreated waste water and illegal dumping from nearby factories daily.

Over the past two months, the water contamination has killed more than 20 tonnes of fish bred by local residents.

"The attack of recent tides, the strongest in the past 40 years, has swept away waste from river banks and branches, and has aggravated the environmental situation," experts said.

The mission warned that the entire waterway may face even higher pollution if the inner-city canals and sewers connecting to Tham Luong and Vam Thuam are not seen to shortly.

The DST has demanded that the municipal People’s Committee dredge the Tham Luong Rivulet and build an embankment on the right bank of the Sai Gon River.

The relocation of factories suspected of direct waste dumping to industrial parks is also an immediate objective of the environment department. And culverts in most contaminated branches should help reduce pollution-related risks. — VNS