Da Nang has been making efforts to improve and enhance the quality of the environment and ecology.

Dedicating large investment resources to the environment

The Khanh Son leachate treatment station at phase 2 was put into operation in June 5, 2021, contributing to improving the environment in a large area. Photo: HOANG HIEP

In half term of implementing the Resolution adopted at the 22^nd Congress of the Da Nang Party Committee, the city's environmental protection work has made many positive changes thanks to spending a lot of resources on investing and putting into operation environmental protection works in 2023.

Since late April, the operation of the VND301 billion Phu Loc wastewater treatment station at the second phase, and the VND444 billion wastewater collection pipeline along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, has improved the marine environment along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, thereby contributing to making swimming activities at the beaches along this route more bustling.

The Son Tra wastewater treatment station at phase 2 with a large-diameter culvert system under the VND 1,447 billion project on improving the water environment in the east of Son Tra District, and the VND168 billion wastewater pipeline along a section of September 2 Street between its intersections with Phan Thanh Tai and Thang Long, have been put into trial operation.

Currently, contractors are urgently constructing some final items of the VND589 billion Hoa Xuan wastewater treatment plant at phase 3; and a VND1,340 billion separate wastewater collection system and sewer lines to transfer rainwater to the Han River for the basin from Ho Xuan Huong Street to Da Nang’s border with Quang Nam Province.

Till date, the city's domestic wastewater collection and treatment system has a total treatment capacity of 360,000m³ of water/day, higher than the city's total domestic water demand (from 330,000 - 350,000m³/day).

According to Head of the Urban Committee of the municipal People’s Council Nguyen Thanh Tien, the city has invested in resources to collect and treat wastewater, especially almost perfecting the wastewater collection systems in urban areas. However, the city needs to pay more attention to treating, collecting and transporting waste, as well as raising public awareness about environmental protection, in order to achieve the goal of an environmentally friendly city towards an ecological city in the near future.

Recently, the city has completed the project on upgrading and renovating a number of items at the Khanh Son landfill at a total cost of VND184 billion, as well as has put garbage bin No. 6 into operation in early May 2023. Besides, the garbage transfer stations on Le Thanh Nghi Street and the one in Son Tra District have been put into operation in 2023.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quang Vinh said that Da Nang is currently the leading locality in the country in terms of investment and operation of transfer stations with advanced garbage pressing technology. Notably, in early 2023, Da Nang topped the country in the application of a set of Environmental Protection Indicators (PEPI) which was issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE).

The Ngu Hanh Son wastewater treatment station at phase 2 has been completed and put into operation, which has helped improve the environment in Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Prevention and control of environment at source

It is expected that by late 2023, 89.3% of the collected and treated urban domestic wastewater volume will meet environmental technical regulations. 100% of industrial wastewater will be collected and treated centrally in accordance with environmental technical regulations. 100% of collected domestic waste will be treated to meet environmental protection requirements.

In addition, 100% of industrial zones and clusters will have centralised wastewater treatment systems that meet environmental technical standards. Forest coverage rate will reach 45.6%.

In order to continue to fulfill the goals of the Resolution, from now until the end of 2025, the city will focus on completing legal and investment procedures to carry out projects on garbage treatment plants, garbage transfer stations, and related environmental technical infrastructure.

The city also continues to strengthen the management and protection of forests in association with the programme of sustainable forestry development and ensure the maintenance and stability of forest cover at an average of 46-47%, higher than the average of the whole country.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by M.DUNG