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Let it flow: The To Lich River is dredged in preparation for the rainy season. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

Polluted rivers carry toxins to farms on Ha Noi doorstep

HA NOI — The current river water supply used in Ha Noi is severely polluted, according to Le Tran Lam of the Municipal Department of Science, Technology and Environment.

The level of toxic chemicals in the To Lich and Nhue rivers, which make up the bulk of the water supply for agriculture in the city’s suburban districts, is apparently four times the permitted level in Canada.

Local communities in the two northern provinces Ha Tay and Ha Nam, which use the same water supply as Ha Noi, are still using the water for farming and aquaculture, despite the high toxicity.

There is a possibility of contracting diseases of the liver, lung, or skin from the contaminated water, according to Le Lan Anh of the National Centre for the Environment and Natural Science.

Illegal pesticides, herbicides and other plant protection chemicals are found in the water supply. Residential areas also produce 480,000cu.m of waste water which flows directly into the two rivers.

Pollution is coming from five industrial zones in Ha Noi, specialising in machinery, clothing, glass making, rubber, food, and leather. The refuse material is also blocking the To Lich river’s flow, damaging its ability to clean its own water.

There is a danger that the pollution will reach other rivers, such as the Kim Nguu, Lu and Set, which are already partially contaminated.

However, not all the news is bad. A clean water supply will become a reality by 2010, stated Lam.

Ha Noi authorities are organising the construction of seven water treatment plants in Ho Tay, Dong Da and Thanh Tri at a cost of US$200 million.

Also, a project to decontaminate the rivers funded by an official development assistance loan is in its final stages. It is designed to minimise pollution in rivers within the city.

The city authorities’ next move is to be build three monitoring stations to manage and treat polluted water quickly. — VNS