In active response to the World Water Day 2019 (22 March) themed ‘Leaving No One Behind’, the Da Nang authorities are appealing for the efficient public use of water and the reuse of treated wastewater in an effort to cope with the current saline intrusion and possible shortage of water in the upcoming spells of hot weather in the summer.

The building of a temporary water dam at the mouth of the Quang Hue River with sandbags has helped to reduce in the salinity levels of the Cau Do (Red Bridge) River.

In the current context of the Cau Do (Red Bridge) River suffering from severe salt-water contamination, some families in the city have been continuously complaining about brackish water, and weak water pressure over recent days.

Tap water is brackish if the salinity level is over 100mg/l. Meanwhile, it was recently reported, the salinity level of tap water for public use has been over 200mg/l.

Apart from public complaints on brackish tap water, some residents have raised their concern over a shortage of water.

However, the Da Nang Water Supply Company (DAWACO) says, the problem of weak water pressure has occurred at a few areas due to the installation of new water pipelines getting underway there.

For example, residents living on a section of Nui Thanh faced a shortage of water on Wednesday evening because water pipelines were under repair at alley No 382/20 on this street at that time.

DAWACO Deputy General Director Hoang Minh Nam affirmed effective measures are being taken to ensure that the highest salinity level of tap water must be under 250mg/l, the safe salinity level for the mainland stipulated in the national technical regulations issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health regarding drinking water quality.

The An Trach Pumping Station is now operating at full capacity to provide water source for the Red Bridge water supply plant in a bid to meet the current daily demand for 270,000m3 of water.

To date, the building of a temporary water dam at the mouth of the Quang Hue River has been completed with the intention of ensuring that 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.

Accordingly, the city and elsewhere in the central region is expected to brace for hot weather, drought, and severe saline intrusion over the coming months of this year.

The drought is expected to cause lower water levels at reservoirs, rivers, and springs in many localities in the regions of between 30 – 60% in comparison with the average of many years.

In the current context of unfavourable weather conditions, many families should install water tanks to hold water for use rather than directly using tap water from public pipelines, and to maintain the efficient use of tap water during the current spell of hot weather.

It is noticeable, following the approval by the municipal administration, coastal accommodation establishments across the city are allowed to build the network of sewage pipelines so that already-treated wastewater can be reused to water plants and grass there.

Here is a bicycle parade along downtown streets in Thanh Khe District in active response to the World Water Day 2019.

The 2019 edition of the World Water Development Report (WWDR 2019) entitled ‘Leaving No One Behind’ seeks to inform policy and decision-makers, inside and outside the water community, how improvements in water resources management and access to water supply and sanitation services are essential to overcoming poverty, and addressing various other social and economic inequities.

A wide range of meaningful activities in active response to the World Water Day are taking place across the city until 5 June. Included are bicycle parades along downtown streets along with the placement of panels and posters and photo exhibitions.

The intention is to encourage them to use and preserve this natural resource effectively, as well as to recycle wastewater as a move to protect the environment.