Da Nang is mobilising as many as resources possible to resolve pollution and  improve the environment of 20 inner-city lakes to ensure water quality suitable for surface water use purposes, and create environmental landscapes and relaxation spots for local residents as well.

Many measures have been taken to improve the water environment of the 2ha lake located in Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang to create a green space between residential areas. Photo: HOANG HIEP

The 2ha lake in Bau Trang residential area, Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Thanh Khe District was an environmental pollution spot two years ago because it had to receive a large volume of untreated wastewater from the Phan Lang canal upstream.

Now, there are more than 10 active aeration clusters and many rafts containing aquatic plants such as hyacinth and banana flowers placed on the lake surface to handle water pollution, and at the same time, create a highly inviting landscape.

Also, areas around the lake were renovated with the placing of stone benches for people to relax.

Head of the Natural Resources and the Environment of Thanh Khe District Le Trung Minh Tan said that his agencies have called on residential areas to participate in the environmental preservation around the two above-mentioned lakes,

These residential areas are striving to be recognised as the sustainable residential area model under the ongoing ‘Join hands to protect water resources’ project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The people’s active response and high applause om preserving and protecting the environment of the 2ha and Xuan Hoa A helps to implement the city’s project named ‘Pollution Treatment and Environmental Improvement of Inner-city Lakes’.

According to the Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, out of the 28 lakes in downtown Da Nang.

According to the ‘Pollution Treatment and Environmental Improvement of Inner-city Lakes’ project, from now till 2025, the city will gradually control the water quality of the lakes, improve environmental quality in polluted lakes, complete the construction of interceptor sewers around some lakes in the inner city and upgrade the existing wastewater collection system to prevent wastewater from entering lakes.

Also importantly, heed will be creating green space and urban beauty for lakes in a bid to turn them into places highly attractive to locals and tourists in the coming time.

During the process of making adjustments to the Da Nang Master Plan for its major developments by 2030, with a vision towards 2045, many specialised experts and State management units proposed an idea to fully tap natural conditions to develop Da Nang into an eco-city and ‘the city of a thousand lakes’.

In order to bring this idea to fruition, the design consultancy units of the Master Plan have made three proposals.

The first is the creation of new reservoirs in mountainous areas west of the city.

The second is the preservation of the existing public lakes and creation of new ones based on existing watercourses and rivers on flat areas. The lakes will then be integrated with public parks in services for people.

The third is the implementation of a special regulation requiring that all socio-economic development projects with each covering 5 hectares or more will set aside 10% of the land area for water conservation purposes will be established throughout the city.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by A.THU