Vietnam works to secure water resources

Climate change has had a profound impact on Vietnam's water resources, modifying the natural water cycle and triggering extreme phenomena such as floods, droughts and saline intrusions, making it all the more urgent to strengthen water resource management.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) recently reviewed the ten-year implementation of Resolution No. 24 of June 3, 2013 of the ^7th Plenum of the ^XI Term Party Central Committee on Adapting to Climate Change and Strengthening Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection.

According to the Ministry, over the past decade, more than 24,000 water supply and wastewater disposal facilities have been managed by agencies at all levels through the licensing mechanism.

However, violations in the field of water resources remain widespread, demonstrating the weak enforcement of laws relating to water resource management.

Ministry statistics show that central agencies carried out 31 inspections related to water resource management at 206 water supply and wastewater disposal facilities in 40 provinces and cities across the country during this period. At the same time, almost 3,000 such inspections were carried out at local level, targeting 19,000 facilities.

Water resources security

The Deputy Director of MoNRE's Water Resources Management Department, Nguyên Minh Khuyên, attributed these violations to unclear policies related to guaranteeing the security of water resources.

In addition, other reasons include inconsistent legal regulations, lack of clarity regarding water resource management, slow progress in planning, insufficient information systems for water resource management, limited public awareness and weak enforcement of water resource laws, he continued.

The official said that the Department of Water Resources Management and MoNRE will speed up the drafting of an amended water resources law to meet the requirements of the new situation and strengthen national water security.

He also called for more investment in facilities to improve the efficiency of water use, as well as in wastewater collection and treatment, and for stronger international cooperation in this field.

According to a water resources planning plan for the period 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, Vietnam aims to increase the daily drinking water usage rate to 95% - 100% for the urban population and 65% for rural residents. Up to 90% of water exploitation activities will be mastered, while the rate of water loss in supply activities will be reduced to 10%.

By 2050, Vietnam aims to increase its national water security index to rank among the world's most water-secure countries. It will strive to be proactive with water resources in all situations, forecasting and regulating water, preventing floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion, pollution and responding to climate change.

Source: lecourrier.vn/