Hydropower plant water discharge urged to reduce downstream saline intrusion
The Da Nang Department of Construction is taking proactive measures to solve salt-water contamination in the Cau Do (Red Bridge) River and ensure sufficient water supplies for residents’ daily lives, agriculture and industrial production in the city.
In detail, one focus is placed on replacing the existing downgraded water supply pipes made of steel and cast iron used for a long time with new ones, encouraging locals to maintain the efficient use of tap water.
In particular, heed is being paid to ensure that the 1st stage of the upgrade of the Cam Le District-located Cau Do (Red Bridge) Water Plant with a daily capacity of 60,000m3 of water and the Hoa Vang District-located Hoa Trung Water Supply Plant with a daily capacity of 10,000m3 of water will be completed by late next month.
The construction of a pipe system to transport raw water to the Cau Do Water Plant is scheduled to be put into use in May.
Da Nang and the neighbouring province of Quang Nam are jointly implementing the building of a temporary water dam as soon as possible at the mouth of the Quang Hue River in order to ensure the majority of the water flow from the Vu Gia River will be released into the Yen River where the An Trach Dam is located.
As for solutions to severe salt-water contamination, the Da Nang authority will work with hydropower plants upstream of Vu Gia River about the discharge of a large volume of water so as to push the salinity out of the water, hereby ensuring the salinity level of under 900 mg/l.
In addition to the above solutions, the Department of Construction will invest in the installation of new water pipes to promptly carry clean water to areas with weak water pressure.
Meanwhile, coastal accommodation establishments across the city will be allowed build the network of sewage pipelines to reuse treated wastewater to water plants and grass there.
Also, saltwater intrusion observation stations will be constructed in the coming time.
For long-term measures to ensure public demand for sufficient water, after 2020, the Department of
Construction will carry out the 2nd stage of the upgrade of the Cau Do Water Supply Plant to increase its total water supply capacity to 120,000m3 per day.
Meanwhile, the 1st stage of the Hoa Lien Water Supply Plant, with a daily capacity of 120,000m3 of water is scheduled to be completed by late 2020 whilst the figure will increase to 240,000m3 of water in the 2nd stage in subsequent years.