Clean water to remote areas

- In recent years, many clean water supply projects have been invested in villages, especially in remote, isolated and border areas, helping tens of thousands of households improve their living conditions and gradually improve their quality of life.

People in Quang Trung 1 block, Luong Van Tri ward use hygienic water for daily use.

At the end of 2024, the centralized domestic water supply project in Khun Dut village, Van Linh commune repaired the source tank, built a filtration system, added a centralized water tank, and installed more than 2.2 km of water pipes with a total cost of more than 1 billion VND from local public investment funds. The completed project has brought clean water to every household.

Ms. Trieu Thi Bich, Party Cell Secretary, Head of Khun Dut Village, said: The village has 98 households with more than 470 people. Previously, the old construction was degraded, water was not enough for use, and hygiene was not guaranteed. Now 100% of households have enough clean water, people's lives have completely changed. We are establishing an operation and management team to effectively exploit the construction, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Khun Dut is just one of dozens of residential areas in the province that are benefiting from rural water supply projects that have been invested and upgraded in recent years. These projects not only solve the long-standing shortage of domestic water in many highland villages and hamlets, but also help people have better sanitation conditions, reduce the risk of disease, and improve the quality of life.

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, up to now, 99% of rural residents in the province have used clean water, an increase of nearly 4% compared to 2020. In particular, about 63% of the rural population uses clean water that meets standards with a minimum quantity of 40 to 60 liters/person/day.

To achieve this result, in the period of 2020 - 2025, the province has mobilized investment resources to build and upgrade 90 centralized domestic water supply works with a total cost of more than 390 billion VND. Of which, nearly 159 billion VND comes from the central budget, more than 114 billion VND comes from the local budget, more than 30 billion VND comes from national target programs and more than 51 billion VND comes from ODA capital.

In addition, from loan sources, contributions from the people and support from international organizations, in recent years, more than 35,000 rural household water supply works have been newly built, renovated and repaired.

In particular, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program sponsored by the World Bank (WB) has played an important role. The program was implemented in the 2016-2020 period, lasting until 2023 to complete the items, with a total investment of about 231 billion VND. According to the plan, the program sets many goals, including implementing more than 13,000 water supply connections for about 53,300 people; building new, repairing, and renovating 170 clean water facilities at schools and health stations. In the 2021-2023 period alone, the program has implemented nearly 8,900 water supply connections, ensuring a sustainable water source for nearly 6,960 households.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Thuy, Head of the Water Resources Management Division, Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: The program is one of the projects with the most obvious impact in improving access to clean water in rural areas, especially in disadvantaged areas and ethnic minority areas. The initial target was 13,000 connections, but the program has completed 13,737 connections, bringing benefits to tens of thousands of people. In addition, 174 clean water facilities and hygienic toilets at schools and commune health stations have been newly built and renovated, contributing to improving personal hygiene behavior, protecting the environment and increasing sustainable access to clean water in rural areas.

To ensure the stable and long-term operation of the projects, the province focuses on the management, operation and propaganda of safe and effective use of clean water. These activities have contributed to raising people's awareness in protecting and sustainably exploiting water supply projects.

At the grassroots level, the management and maintenance of the project's effectiveness are also given special attention. Ms. Hoang Thi Anh, Chairwoman of Thien Long Commune People's Committee, said: The commune currently has 4 centralized water supply projects, ensuring that 99% of households have access to clean water. We always focus on integrating propaganda so that people understand the role of clean water for health. From there, people raise their awareness of use, and at the same time, work with the government to effectively manage and operate the project. Only then will investment resources be able to promote their value, meeting the daily and long-term needs of the people.

Clean water is not only an essential need but also contributes to protecting health, improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable development. The province aims to provide 100% of the urban population with clean water through a centralized system by 2030, and about 80% of the rural population with access to clean water that meets standards. These are specific goals aimed at ensuring access to clean water for all people.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/dua-nuoc-sach-ve-vung-kho-5059614.html