The Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and Environment on Tuesday asked the owners of hydropower reservoirs A Vuong, Song Bung 4, Song Bung 4A, Song Bung 5 , Song Bung 6 and Dak Mi 4 to discharge water in line with the regulations regarding inter-reservoir operating process on the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river basin, a move to help Da Nang address the current deep-concerning salinity-triggered water shortage. 

The An Trach Anti-Salinity Pumping Station

It is known that from the afternoon of March 29 to the morning of March 30, due to severe salinity and a very low water level of Yen River, many parts of the city have experienced weak tap water pressure and flow, which stirred up public complaints.

Especially, in some downstream residential areas of Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son and Lien Chieu districts, as residents turn on faucets, water just drips in a very slow pace.

The influence of high tide plus the significant decrease of water flow downstream the Vu Gia River, over recent days, has increased saline intrusion on the city-based Cau Do River in tandem with lowering the water level at the An Trach Anti-Salinity Pumping Station.

In particular, at noon on Monday morning, the water level measured at the An Trach Anti-Salinity Pumping Station decreased to only 1.44 m, and the highest salinity level recorded at the Cau Do River reached 4,846mg / l, many times higher than the allowed limits.

In case of emergency, if water shortage happened in Da Nang and when the salinity level at the Cau Do raw water sluice-gate is maintained continuously at above 1,000mg / l, affecting the capacity of the An Trach pumping station, the above-mentioned hydroelectric plants to discharge water hydroelectric plants to discharge water must be ready to discharge water into the downstream areas of Vu Gia Eiver to ensure water supplies for Da Nang.

By HOANG HIEP – Translated by A.T