Southern provinces strive to clean river basin

Southern provinces and relevant ministries have committed to clean the polluted basin of the Dong Nai River system, which spans along 12 provinces and reaches 15 million residents.

Southern provinces and relevant ministries have committed to clean the polluted basin of the Dong Nai River system, which spans along 12 provinces and reaches 15 million residents.

The commitment was made following the Prime Minister’s decision to protect the Dong Nai River until 2020. The long-term scheme focuses on preserving the water supply and protecting the environment to ensure sustainable development around the basin. It also establishes regulations regarding clean technology for new factories in the basin and approves 16 environmental protection projects. The VND2 trillion (US$125 million) projects in the basin area will be financed by State and local budgets, the private sector and aid.

During the first phase, which runs until 2010, all newly established factories in the basin must apply clean technology in manufacturing  and meet high standards for wastewater treatment. In the second phase from 2011-2015, provincial authorities will resolve 90% of the polluted factories operating in the area and treat 90% of the garbage and 100% of the toxic waste in the basin.

From 2016 to 2020, 70% of townships and all industrial zones located in the 12 provinces will be required to have wastewater treatment facilities.

The Dong Nai River system encompasses the Da Dung, Da Nhim, Dong Nai, La Nga, Be Saigon and Vam Co rivers, while the Dong Nai River basin covers 48,268 square kilometers.

The 12 provinces joining this effort are HCM City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Tay Ninh and Long An.

(Source: SGT)