Dong Nai committed to investing in clean water for nine northern border and remote communes

On October 22, Nguyen Thi Cat Tien, Member of the Dong Nai City Party Committee (CPC) and Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee, inspected irrigation works and water supply projects in remote and border communes in the northern part of the city.

Nguyen Thi Cat Tien, Member of the CPC and Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee, inspects irrigation works in Loc Thanh Commune. Photo: B. Nguyen

The delegation conducted field surveys of irrigation works and clean water supply facilities in the border and remote communes of Loc Thanh, Loc Thanh, Tan Quan and Phu Trung. None of these communes currently has a centralized clean water supply system, and residents rely primarily on drilled and dug wells. As water extraction is dispersed, regular monitoring, supervision and assessment of water quality against established standards remain challenging.

Investment in rural clean water projects in these localities faces numerous difficulties due to widely dispersed populations, low population densities in many areas and relatively large distances between households and residential areas. Extending infrastructure and pipeline networks to all residential areas requires substantial capital, while the number of households able to connect to each pipeline may remain limited, directly affecting investment efficiency and the management and operation of the facilities. Local authorities are also focusing on communication measures to help residents fully understand the health benefits of using treated clean water, while also considering policies to subsidize water connections for disadvantaged households.

Loc Thanh Commune proposed early investment in the Hoa Lu Border Gate Economic Zone Water Plant Project to supply clean water to the locality and some neighboring communes. The investment is of vital importance in enabling residents to access centralized clean water supply, helping improve living conditions, protect public health and gradually meet clean water targets in new-style rural development.

Nguyen Thi Cat Tien, Member of the CPC and Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee, listens to a briefing on investment options for rural clean water supply in Tan Quan Commune. Photo: B. Nguyen

Tan Quan Commune proposed that Biwase Binh Phuoc Water One Member Co., Ltd. conduct surveys and assess investment options for a clean water distribution network in the commune. Priority would be given to pipeline routes serving the central residential area of Tan Quan Commune, administrative headquarters, schools, public facilities, commercial and production establishments, and local neighborhoods. For scattered residential areas that cannot yet access the centralized water supply system, the Commune People's Committee will continue public awareness activities, guiding residents in using  hygienic water sources and applying water filtration and treatment measures at home.

Loc Thanh Commune currently has one domestic water supply facility under the Phuoc Hoa irrigation project. However, its limited capacity allows it to serve only 10–15 households, mainly during the dry season. The commune proposed allocating funds to repair and upgrade the facility and install clean water supply pipelines to serve local residents.

Nguyen Thi Cat Tien, Member of the CPC and Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee, inspects irrigation works in Phu Trung Commune. Photo: B. Nguyen

Phu Trung Commune has the Long An reservoir irrigation project, while its plans have been approved for future investment in the Phu Trung 2, Phu Trung 3 and Duc Lieu reservoirs. However, these facilities are primarily intended to serve agricultural production. The commune hopes to secure funding for irrigation works, extend water supply networks from neighboring areas, or invest in a water treatment plant and centralized water supply system within the commune.

Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Cat Tien emphasized that nine localities in northern Dong Nai, mainly border and remote communes, still lack rural clean water supply facilities. The city is determined to use all available resources to invest in clean water supply systems for these nine northern border and remote communes. The survey program covering irrigation works and water supply projects in remote and border communes in the northern part of the city aims to provide clean water sources and protect residents' health. Based on field inspections and reports from water treatment plants and local authorities on water supply needs and difficulties in attracting investment in clean water projects, recommendations will be submitted to the CPC and the City People's Committee on investing in clean water supply systems for these border and remote communes.

The Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee also directed the municipal Department of Agriculture and Environment to take the lead in coordinating with water supply operators and local authorities to develop investment proposals for the Hoa Lu Border Gate Economic Zone Water Plant Project and promptly submit them to the CPC and City People's Committee for early implementation.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha