The Da Nang Water Supply Joint Stock Company (Dawaco) has warned the prolonged reduction in water flow and pressure across the city in the coming days in the face of the current severe salt-water contamination in the Cau Do (Red Bridge) River.

In recent days, the salinity level of the river has increased significantly, and even reached up to 2,858mg/l, much higher than the allowed limits.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Vu Gia River, whose tributary flows into the city-located Cau Do River, has fallen to a record low, and this matter of concern is expected to cause a severe shortage of water in the city in days to come.

In recent days, the A Vuong Hydroelectric JSC has had water discharged from its reservoir into the Vu Gia River for an average of 10 - 14 hours per day at a capacity of 34 - 37m³/s, much higher than the normal limit of 12m³/s in order to push the salinity out of the Cau Do and Vinh Dien rivers.

In similar vein, despite falling below the dead storage, the Song Bung No 4’ reservoir has released water during 6 - 10 hours per day into the Vu Gia River.

However, in the face of the prolonged scorching weather which lingers into the coming days, the water level in these reservoirs is expected to continue its downward trend as the hydroelectric plants continue their electricity generation to ensure power supply to the national grid, and the poor water flow enters into these reservoirs. This matter will result in a hike in the salinity level in the Cau Do River, hereby causing water scarcity in the city. 

On Monday, Dawaco has sent dispatches to functional bodies and hydropower plants to ensure closer coordinate in maintaining the water discharge in line with the national government-approved inter-reservoir operating procedures at the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river basin in order to ensure the sufficient water supply for the daily lives, and the agricultural and industrial production activities, of local citizens.