On Saturday morning, the highest salinity level recorded at the Cau Do (Red Bridge) Water Supply Plant’s raw water intake was 1,366 mg/l, around 4.5 times higher than the allowed limits.

The main reason is thought to be that, since 6 February, the water levels of the Han and Cam Le rivers have been significantly increased due to high tides. This has pushed salinity contaminated water deeply into the Cau Do (Red Bridge) Water Plant.

In addition, hydropower reservoirs upstream of the Vu Gia River have not ensured the discharge of water in accordance with their operation process. As a result, the water level of the Vu Gia River at the Ai Nghia Hydrological Plant has remained at a very low level of between 1.99 m and 2.06 m. These figures have lowered than the lowest water level prescribed by the national government-approved inter-reservoir operating procedures at the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river basin by 0.6 m.

In order to handle this matter of deep concern, the An Trach Pumping Station is now operating at full capacity to provide enough water source for the Red Bridge Water Supply Plant.

According to Mr Ho Minh Nam, the Deputy General Director of the Da Nang Water Supply Company (DAWACO), thanks to the operation of the temporary anti-saline intrusion dam built on a section of the Cam Le River, the salinity levels at the Cau Do Water Supply Plant’s raw water intake has been greatly reduced.

He added his company has asked for permission from the municipal authorities to build another dam on the other section of the Cam Le river in a bid to prevent the Cau Do River from saline intrusion.

By HOANG HIEP - Translated by MAI DUNG