Clean water reaches over 7,000 households in pomelo specialty area

Along with the rest of the country, Dong Nai is rolling out activities in response to the 2026 National Week for Rural Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation (from April 29 to May 6). The initiative aims to raise public awareness and encourage behavioral changes toward more responsible water use and environmental hygiene, thereby improving the quality of life and advancing sustainable development.

Tran Dinh Nghinh (Tan Trieu ward) uses clean water to irrigate plants. Photo: Hoang Loc

During the 2026 National Week for Rural Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation, more than 7,000 households in the province’s largest specialty pomelo-growing area (Tan Trieu ward) have been supplied with clean water. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time residents in the area have had access to clean water at home.

Residents welcome access to clean water

Tran Dinh Nghinh, who moved from the Mekong Delta to Dong Nai more than five years ago to live with his children in Tan Trieu ward, said that his long-standing concern had been the lack of clean water despite living in a densely populated area near the provincial center. Upon learning about the clean water supply project, he readily supported it and encouraged others to do the same so the project could be implemented quickly.

“In some years, the area faced water shortages during the dry season. Moreover, the available water was contaminated with alum, making daily life inconvenient and unsafe. Now I feel very relieved with the clean water,” Nghinh shared.

Similarly, Dao Van Hoa, also a resident of Tan Trieu ward, said, “Access to clean water has eliminated our concerns about shortages while ensuring better quality for daily use. I hope that local authorities would continue investing in transport infrastructure to improve living conditions further, especially as Dong Nai moves toward becoming a centrally governed city”.

Regarding the project, Hoang Quoc Phuong, Deputy Head of the Project Management Board at Dong Nai Water Joint Stock Company, said that in late 2025, the company invested in a water supply network expansion project in Tan An commune and Tan Trieu ward. The project is intended to ensure safe water provision and supply clean water to more than 7,000 households, equivalent to about 28,400 people. It has a capacity of nearly 4,000 cubic meters per day, a total pipeline length of nearly 46 kilometers, and a total investment of nearly 38 billion VND. The project was accepted upon completion and put into operation in early 2026.

According to the representative of Dong Nai Water Joint Stock Company, demand for clean water continues to rise, while water supply projects require substantial capital investment. Therefore, the company prioritizes expanding its network in areas with high, urgent demand. The company is currently implementing and will continue to roll out several projects to expand the network, distribution pipelines, and water sources to ensure a water supply for daily life.

According to Tran Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Tan Trieu Ward People’s Committee, more than 21,500 households in the ward are currently supplied with clean water through the centralized system, reaching 85% coverage. To further increase clean water coverage, the ward People’s Committee is implementing the Binh Loi water pipeline project (phase 2). Once completed, the project will provide clean water to nearly 500 additional households. In addition, the ward is also submitting the Tan Binh water pipeline project (phase 2) for provincial approval. Once completed, the project will provide clean water to around 1,000 households.

Ensuring everyone has access to clean water

As of April 2026, 100% of households in Dong Nai have access to hygienic water sources, with more than 79% meeting quality standards. The Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term sets a target of 85% of households using standard-compliant water by 2030. Expanding access to clean water not only improves living standards and public health but also helps protect groundwater resources, preserve the environment, and lay the foundation for sustainable development.

Increasing the proportion of households using clean water is a shared responsibility across the entire political system, from Party committees and authorities at all levels to enterprises. The province’s goal is not only to reach 85%, but also to ensure that all residents have access to clean water that meets quality standards as soon as possible.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee

and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee

According to Duong Van Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, clean water supply is one of the sector’s key priorities, alongside infrastructure development, planning, and transport. In early 2026, the department issued guidance to all 95 communes and wards, as well as water supply units, to implement solutions to increase access to clean water.

For water supply units, the Provincial Department of Construction requested a comprehensive review of all water supply systems currently in operation, under implementation, and planned for the near future. This undertaking includes identifying areas without access to clean water or where the supply remains inefficient, and proposing solutions for investment, renovation, upgrading, and network expansion to ensure an adequate clean water supply for residents. The department also requires units to develop detailed investment and development plans for the 2026–2030 period, aligned with provincial strategies and policies.

Local authorities are tasked with coordinating with water supply units to raise public awareness about the importance of clean water, encourage households to connect to the system, and promote the protection of water resources.

In connection with the National Week for Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has directed relevant agencies, localities, the People’s Committees of 95 wards and communes, and water supply companies to organize response activities. These activities aim to enhance public awareness of water conservation, environmental hygiene, and disease prevention. At the same time, efforts will be intensified to improve the management, operation, and effective use of water supply systems, along with regular inspection, maintenance, and servicing to ensure stable operation and safe water provision for residents. Residents are also encouraged to use water efficiently and participate in monitoring the operation of local water supply systems.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho