SOS: the quality of underground water is degrading

Bridge – Underground water is degrading in quality, which is a big problem for nearly all water utilization projects.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Center for Programming and Surveying Water Resources under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, among the fields which use underground water, the underground water for household use accounts for a small proportion, just two percent, while the water quality is very low.

In the areas of Cao Bang and Quang Ninh provinces, a part of the area neighbors the sea, therefore, the coastal water is always salty. In the area of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang, underground water here is light with very small content of trace elements, which should not be used eating or drinking. Meanwhile, in Lao Cai and Hoa Binh, underground water has a low content of iodine/

In the north of the central region, the biggest problem can be seen in the water of the lowland and the coastal area of Thanh Hoa. The water here has high content of iron, while the content of derived organic compound is also higher than that in the midland and mountainous areas.

In the coastal areas of the central region, water has high mineralization. Therefore, the supply of drinking water is limited. In the east of the southern region, the pH level in water is generally low with weak acid reaction. Therefore, the water cannot be used for household use if there is no solution to treat the water to increase the pH level.

In the Mekong Delta, the iron content in water also exceeds the allowed level. In some areas, experts can see influences from the saltwater intrusion through the water extraction wells.

The biggest underground water problems can be seen in the lowland of the northern region. In some areas, the pH level is too low while the iron level is too high. In other areas, the water has become salty, while the microelement component level is lower than the standard. Meanwhile, the total degree of mineralization is too high somewhere and too low elsewhere. In Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh and Ha Nam, experts have discovered the signs of water being infected with toxic substances such as nitrogen, mercury and arsenic.    

The top soil deformed

No agency has come forward and managed the exploitation of underground water in the last many years. The lack of a “conductor” has led to the fact that the earth’s surface in many urban areas have been deformed or got depressed. In fact, the danger was warned a long time ago. The research work on the depression of the earth surface caused by the underground water exploitation was carried out thoroughly in 1988-1989. After that, some depression measuring stations have been established recently.

However, experts have pointed out that the depression of the earth in many urban areas not only has been caused by the overexploitation of the underground water. The appearance of a series of “dead holes” in HCM City recently showed that there are many reasons behind the depression.

The biggest problem is the unreasonable placement of wells, which has led to the lowering of the water level in some places. Commenting about the underground water exploitation in Hanoi, an expert said: “No constructor pays attention to the protection of underground water – a kind of natural resources, because it is much less costly to exploit underground water if compared with surface water exploitation in Hanoi”.

Hanoi is the urban area which gathers the highest number of water supply plants among 64 provinces and cities. A report released in 2008 by the Center for Planning and Surveying Water Resources, of the big 108 plants that provide underground water nationwide, HCM City only has three, Hoc Mon, Tram Le and Binh Chanh, while Hanoi has 22.

According to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Nguyen Thai Lai, 50 percent of residents in urban areas are lacking clean water. If referring to the standards set by the International Water Resources Association IWRA, Vietnam is among the countries which are lacking water.

The operational water supply plants have the designed capacity, which allows to provide 150 liters of water per day per head. However, in fact, urbanites can get 40-50 liters per day per head. There are up to 300 small water supply plants or water supply units. The total designed capacity if two million cubic metres per day, but to date, only 60-70 percent of the designed capacity have been used. Underground water just can provides 35-50 percent of the total water output for household use.

PT_Source: VietNamNe

Human-Made Fake Eggs in China 2

This is another series of photos human-made fake eggs in China reported by Zhengzhou city’s local newspaper Zhengzhou Daily (Zhengzhou is the capital city of Henan province, in Central China) on Aug 13, 2007.

Additive Liquor, For Making Egg Yolk

Egg Yolk Is Ready After Concreting

Put “Egg White” – Also Additive - On Egg Yolk

Again, because of money, human can do anything.

PT_Source: seaweedmalaysia.com 

Asia-Pacific nations discuss water resources security

Experts from the Asia-Pacific region are gathering in Vietnam to discuss ways to ensure security for water resources – a pressing global issue that now affects many regions.

 

The discussion forms part of the first session of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) Study Group on Water Resources Security, which began in Hanoi on March 22.

Experts were due to assess the factual utilisation and management of water resources in the region and examine security impacts of the work in various spheres in concerned countries.

At the two-day session, they are scheduled to listen to legal specialists’ opinions on international legal foundations and the building of international mechanisms on the utilisation and management of water resources.

They are expected to put forward concrete proposals to promote regional countries’ cooperation to ensure water resources security, which requires joint, proactive solutions from both developed and developing countries around the world.

In Southeast Asia – which houses the world’s largest rice granaries, the majority of the population depends largely on water resources taken from rivers and lakes, many of which have been seriously damaged by nature as well as human activity.

The damage has not only threatened water resources security but also created complex security concerns for nations that are directly concerned and challenged the future of sustainable development in Southeast Asia.

The next sessions of the study group – which was set up by CSCAP under Vietnam’s initiative – are expected to take place in Cambodia, Thailand and Japan in 2011 and 2012.

At the meetings, study groups will discuss concrete measures to promote regional cooperation and compile the group’s Memorandum of Understanding to be presented to official diplomatic channels for approval.

PT_Source: en.vietnamplus.vn

UK's First Mixed Plastics Recycling Facility Opened

Biffa Polymers - formally Greenstar WES - has opened the UK's first fully integrated plastic packaging sorting and recycling facility 

In January 2010 the facility was awarded £1.187 million in funding by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), following WRAP research which demonstrated not only the environmental benefits, but also the commercial and technological viability for mixed plastics recycling.

Commenting on the opening, Marcus Gover, Director of Market Development at WRAP said: "WRAP is delighted that the Redcar facility is now open and demonstrating that it is commercially viable to recycle mixed plastics and that there are real end markets for the high value, quality outputs."

Located in Redcar, Middlesbrough, the company claims the facility to be the first of its kind in the UK, enabling mixed plastics to be sorted, washed and processed into a reusable high grade commodity.

The facility will process 15,000 tonnes of mixed plastics per year from April 2011, building up to the full capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year by April 2012.

Plastics from Biffa's Materials Recovery Facilities, as well as local authorities and commercial customers in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will be processed at the site.

According to the company, the plastics are sorted by polymer type and colour, and then processed to produce a high quality output which is suitable for a wide range of end uses - where the environmental benefits are unlocked by replacing virgin plastic.

Waste and Recycling Minister Lord Henley explained that the technology employed at the facility will make it easier for more people to participate in recycling schemes: "Biffa's innovative technology will make life easier for families who've puzzled over recycling their yoghurt tubs and food trays."

Examples of new products include paint trays, plant pots, storage boxes, pallets, bottles, car parts, office furniture and kitchenware.

In addition, Biffa said that some of the output will be processed through its food grade HDPE recycling facility at the same site and go back into the manufacture of new milk bottles.

Biffa Polymers managing director Martin Marron said: "Following the success of being the first company in the UK to produce food grade recycled HDPE plastic which is used to make new milk bottles, Biffa Polymers is delighted to be once again at the forefront of the recycling industry. We believe in pushing the boundaries to find the best solutions for plastic recycling in the UK."

PT_Source: waste-management-world.com

Environmental Pollution

 Environmental Pollution:

Let's join hands to contribute for environmental protection for beautiful life for your family and children.

(Vinathuan.com - VNTA)

Biodiesel production from rice straw!

The scientists from the Institute of Chemistry (Institute of Science and Technology of Vietnam) have studied the preparation of a successful bio-oil (Bio-oil) from rice straw. For energy, bio-oil can be used as fuel in power plants (heating boilers, ...) or replace the oil to run diesel engines. The year TCDL, Dr. Dang Tuyet Phuong - Department of Surface Chemistry, has said more about the characteristics and uses of oils.

PV: As scientists directly involved in the process of conducting research biodiesel (Bio-oil) from rice straw by pyrolysis technology, She know the scientific basis of this method?

Dr. Dang Tuyet Phuong Currently, the world supply  power mostly from fossil fuels. However, reserves volume of this fuel increasingly exhausted. Moreover, the declaration exploration and use of oil and coal was discharged into the air CO2, SO2 and NOx cause effect warming, environmental pollution, changing climate seriously worldwide. For years, scientists worldwide have the  research, finding new energy sources can replace and reduce reduce dependence on oil, is able to replicate and friendly environment. That's renewable energy including solar energy, energy hydrogen, geothermal, wind and bioenergy ... In particular, the ability biofuels made from biomass (biomass) account for about 63% of the total renewable energy. Energy sources provide 14% energy needs  of the world, while in developing countries, that figure is 35%.

Raw biomass materials including wood, wood waste (sawdust, shavings), distribution animals, agricultural products and waste from agriculture such as straw, chaff, stems and cob ... Currently, many countries have produced from the production of biofuels agricultural products such as corn (USA), from sugar cane (Brazil), sugar beet (European countries) ... However, these materials are relatively expensive and unstable  regulations. That's not to mention can cause a food crisis. Do Therefore, research and production of bio-oil from straw has opened the ability to make the source of cheap raw materials available from agricultural waste.

On the other hand, Vietnam is a rice exporter in the world second.  From 2002 to now, our average water production of 34 million tonnes rice / year, generating about 40 million tons of rice straw. Number one is this straw used as animal feed, partially processed into fertilizer, while all weak burned off immediately in the field of waste and environmental pollution. So, if you take advantage of this resource to turn straw into bio-oil 25%, the performance can be obtained annually 10 million tons of oil and bacteria.

PV: Advantages and disadvantages of this method is, ma'am?

Dr. Dang Tuyet Phuong Rice straw as agricultural waste containing  lignoxenlulo compounds. In particular, key components of rice straw is carbon accounting for more than 53%. Straw pyrolysis process is essentially broken carbon vessels by heat (thermal cracking) of the compound lignoxenlulo. Pros of the pyrolysis method is capable of breaking chemical bonds of both cellulose and lignin hemixenlulo, thereby increasing efficiency biomass. After the pyrolysis reaction will be in three types of products, gas, liquid and solid. Liquid products account for most, biological oil (bio-oil), can be used in many fields such as chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food  food or fuel. However, in the composition of bio-oil obtained the pyrolysis process are compounds containing oxygen. These disadvantages General of the bio-oil generated from biomass pyrolysis as other compounds Oxygen will make oil and chemically unstable, causing corrosion of machinery, the muscles, while reducing heating value of oil.

PV: How do you rate the importance of this approach for the energy sector?

Dr. Dang Tuyet Phuong According to the Energy Organization world (International Energy Organzation) from 1999 to 2020 demand  energy consumption of the world will increase 60%. Within a century over, energy consumption worldwide increased 20 times. According to Scheme development of biofuels by 2015, vision to 2025 has been Prime Minister's approval, to 2010, Vietnam produced 100,000 tons / year of biofuel E-5 and 50,000 tonnes / year biodiesel fuel  Study B-5, 0.4% guaranteed to provide fuel demand in the country. To in 2015, production of bio-diesel fuel is expected to increase to 250,000 tons / year with the goal of producing 5 million tons / year E-5 and B-5, meeting 1% of the country's gasoline demand. For energy, bio-oil can  use as fuel in power plants (heating boilers, ...) or  replace diesel oil to run the engine (in this case bio-oil need to be refined, upgraded by the next process).

PV: According to her, what to do to be able to apply this method in actual production?

Dr. Dang Tuyet Phuong This is a very research  new, not widely available in Vietnam and also the current issues world. In the future, we continue to study and complete improved heat distribution system equipment, improved catalysts to improve  productivity and product quality. On that basis build process technology can be applied to industrial production.

PV: Thank you very much!

Order: TCDL No. 5 / 2011

Earth is threatened by a new ice age?

Scientists predict the next 10 years solar activity will decrease. Thus, whether there again "during the Little Ice Age" has ever happened in the seventeenth century.

According to the predictions of astrophysics, the frequency of sunspots on the Sun in the coming years will be less. Chu create public sunspots affect the Earth's temperature was 11 years. However, scientists at the National Observatory, said that the next cycle will be delayed, might not even happen. They said the most optimistic projections, the new cycle started in 2020-2021. 

The change of solar activity, as they can lead to a "time kytieu ice" is like the period extended to 70 years from 1645 to 1715 cuacac century. During that period, the river Thames flowing through London, Ice thickness close to 3 meters and can coach from the bridge chaythang Whitehall to bridge London.

Some researchers suggest that due to reduced solar activity, the average temperature of Earth will drop 0.5 degrees C, but the majority still think the canhgiac is too early. During the little ice age ago, only Northwest chauAu down 4 degrees, while other areas are also only half the reduction.

Another problem occurs at the same time and still be more concerned lasu global warming is happening. Therefore, the phenomenon of cold polar travel nghiatich mean that Earth's temperature has not changed too dramatically.

Meteorologist Frank Hill said: "If the place bienxay out so, we can anticipate in the coming years, the temperature to a level not Traidat reduced, while emissions of greenhouse gases tinhcua we increased from 1.5 to 4.5 degrees by 2100. May argue, "a ngaytho" that reduces the activity of the sun save us part. "

But experts still reminded, do not forget that the sun tuongMat reduction activities is only a temporary, not just to dienmai.

(VinaThuaAn - VNTA)

The toxic waste causing environmental degradation

The hazardous waste can pollute the immediate environment as volatile chemicals in the atmosphere or may be indirectly through pollution of air transport or surface nuoc.Van important not only depend on where discharge and conditions in the
below.

Land and water contamination:

The presence of the unsaturated zone below the surface of where the discharge is important. This is above the water surface area, in places down to the water to meet water-level. If the garbage underneath the unsaturated zone, the country operations as the is a filtering process by the chemical and biochemical activities.

Pollution of surface water:

Outer surface of the water near where the waste can get the toxic waste flowing from the surface. Moreover, the flow of land - the country also put chemicals into the water pollution. In terms of air exposure will promote decomposition of bio-chemistry of organic compounds. Evaporation at the surface is easier in the land. 

Cross contamination by:

The organic compounds can evaporate into the air, the wind can bring toxic waste into the environment, fruits and vegetables grown close to where the waste can absorb the waste toxins.

The artificial air pollution is causing the most dangerous to humans and the earth's atmosphere?

The most dangerous man-made air for human health and the Earth's atmosphere has been known to include: carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2).; Carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (N2O); Clorofluorocacbon (also known as CFC) and methane (CH4).

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) content of 0.03% CO2 with the atmosphere is the raw material for photosynthesis process to produce the primary biological productivity in the trees. Typically, the amount of CO2 produced naturally balanced with the amount of CO2 is used for photosynthesis. Two types of human activities that burn fossil fuels and deforestation have made the process imbalance, have negative impacts on global climate.

2. Sulphur dioxide (SO2): sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the air pollutant levels low in the atmosphere, mainly in the troposphere. Sulfur dioxide produced by volcanic eruptions, from burning coal, oil, gas, plant biomass, sulfide ores. Etc. .. SO2 is toxic to human health and animals, causes lung tracheobronchitis. SO2 in air to form oxygen and water have acid concentration in rain water causing acid rain.

3. Carbon monoxide (CO): CO is formed by burning fossil fuels do not all like coal, oil and some other organic materials. Emissions from the motorcycle engine is the source of CO pollution in major cities. Every year around the globe produce about 600 million tons of CO. CO is not toxic to plants because plants can transform CO => CO2 and use it during photosynthesis. Thus, vegetation is considered a natural agent is effective in reducing CO pollution. When people in the air is about 250 ppm CO concentration will die.

4. Nitrous oxide (N2O): N2O is a greenhouse gas glass, was born in the burning of fossil fuels. Its content is growing on a global scale, every year approximately 0.2 - 3%. Small amounts of other N2O into the atmosphere as a result of nitrification of organic fertilizers and inorganic. N2O into the atmosphere will not change the format in the long run, only reaching the upper atmosphere of the new impact it slowly with oxygen atoms.

5. Clorofluorocacbon (abbreviated as CFC): CFC are chemicals synthesized by humans for use in many industries and from there into the atmosphere. CFC 11 or CFCl3 or CFCl2 or CF2Cl2 (also known as Freon 12 or F12) is the common nature of the CFC. A small amount of other CFCs CHC1F2 (or F22), CCl4 and CF4 also enters the atmosphere. Both compounds CFC 11 and CFC 12 or freon are compounds of high economic significance, the production and use has increased rapidly in the past two decades. They exist both in the form of aerosols and aerosol. Aerosol form is often damage the ozone layer, so that the alarm about the environment, these types of aerosols are not produced and continue growing in number. CFCs are highly stable and not decomposed. When CFCs reach the upper tanphan cancel. Speed ​​will decompose quickly if CFC ozone damage and ultraviolet radiation to reach the lower atmosphere.

6. Methane (CH4): Methane is a greenhouse gas. It was born from the biological process, as the men of the intestinal tract of animals with hooves, sheep and other animals, the resolution in anaerobic wetlands, rice paddies, forest fires and combustion of agar. CH4 oxidation promotes the stratospheric water vapor. The increase in water vapor causes the greenhouse effect stronger than the direct effect of CH4.

Currently the atmosphere annually received about 400 to 765x1012g CH4

(Vinathuan-VNTA)

30% of vehicles in circulation do not meet emission standards

The Vietnam Register (VR) and inspectors of the Ministry of Transport have found out from an inspection on technical safety and environment protection, that 30 percent of cars in circulation do not meet emission standards.

On April 26 and 27, VR inspected 39 passenger cars and buses and found out technical problems in 11 cars. Meanwhile, the agency discovered violations in environmental protection and brake efficiency. As such, 30 percent of vehicles cannot meet the emission standards, while 15 percent of vehicles cannot meet the standards on brake efficiency.

Experts believe that the vehicles have been found as having problems because the owners of the vehicles do not follow the suggestions on regular maintenance. The owners of the inspected vehicles said they applauded the regular inspections with mobile testing stations, because this mode of inspection can save time for vehicle owners and drivers, while this helps discover problems sooner, so that they can fix problems timely.

Nguyen Huu Tri, Head of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Department of VR, said that after the inspections focusing on passenger carrying cars, the mobile testing method will be used in a larger scale.

In the time to come, VR will be given two mobile testing stations by the National Committee on Traffic Safety, with which VR will join forces with the traffic police and transport inspectors to examine technical and environmental protection conditions of motor vehicles.

The two mobile testing units are a part of the road safety project. It is expected that VR will also join forces with relevant local forces to examine the vehicles circulating on key routes, such as Hanoi-Vinh, HCM City-Vung Tau and HCM City-Can Tho.

Regarding the emission standards, Vietnam is considering skipping the application of Euro 3 standards to apply Euro 4 from January 1, 2017.
 
Local newspapers have quoted their sources as saying “that the Ministry of Transport is going to submit to the government the plan on applying new emission standards on automobiles and motorbikes which are made domestically or imported.”

If the plan is approved, all kinds of newly manufactured, assembled or imported heavy and light vehicles will have to apply the Euro 4 emission standards as of January 1, 2017, and Euro 5 standards as of January 1, 2022. Meanwhile, newly manufactured, assembled or imported motors will have to apply Euro 3 standards as of January 1, 2017.

Head of VR Trinh Ngoc Giao believes that it is a reasonable decision to skip Euro 3 to apply Euro 4. He said that other regional countries including Malaysia, Indonesia or the Philippines are also preparing to apply Euro 4 from 2017.

Especially, the member companies of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association VAMA have proposed to apply Euro 4 right from 2015, because the engines for assembling cars that the companies are importing now can meet Euro 3 and Euro 4 standards.

Other automobile manufacturers have agreed that the new standards should be applied from 2017, because they need some more time to upgrade technologies, material facilities, equipments and the labor force.

Some months ago, the Prime Ministers released a decision approving the plan on emission control over motors and motorbikes in circulation in big provinces and cities, in order to control the air pollution caused by the vehicles.

In the immediate time, the emission control will be carried out strictly on the motors and motorbikes in circulation in Hanoi and HCM City. After that, the control will be expanded to first and second class cities and then throughout the country.

PT_Source TBKTVN

Environment ministry calls for water protection

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai affirmed that raising the public awareness of protecting water resources is a top priority of the ministry at present and in the future.

In an interview granted to the Tai Nguyen va Moi Truong (Natural Resources and Environment) newspaper, the deputy minister said the demand for water keeps rising in Vietnam due to rapid urbanisation and population growth.

This is even more challenging for Vietnam in the context of increasingly complex and uncertain climate change and water resources in urban areas decreasing, he said

At present, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) is working on a national strategy on water resources until 2020, along with promulgating regulations on drilling, exploring and using water as well as discharging waste water, and on managing the river basin, in an effort to create a legal State management corridor in this field.

The ministry has also instructed relevant agencies to complete projects on protecting underground water in urban areas and coordinate with localities to set up basin water resources plans for the basin of Ma, Ca, Lo, Gam, Dong Nai, Ba, Cau, and Huong rivers, the northern, central and southern key economic zones, Ca Mau peninsula, and Phu Quoc island.

MNRE will launch a national meeting and activities in response to the 2011 World Water Day (March 23) themed, “Water for urban development”, in the central province of Ninh Thuan on March 21-22.

Since the beginning of March, exhibitions, seminars and screenings of documentaries on water resources have been held as part of the programme.

PT_Source: vfej.vn/en

Message from Japan

Events and earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan has really shocked the whole planet, both literally and figuratively. The ruins of an entire region solidly Japan makes the world tremble. But the calm of the Japanese people also praised the world.

Disaster Japan on 03.11.2011, will have a man on the upper limit of extreme suffering? More than half a century, Japanese has quietly built the nation swaying to the whole world admired, but only after several minutes, only a heap of ruins. There may be a Japanese family, the house, leaving several generations of the same eternal. We pray for their souls transcendence. But the family will be separated forever. Spouses, parents, children, siblings ... lose one another. There are many orphans, many fetuses are not born ...

Faced with the biggest disaster in human history, we witnessed the Japanese tenacity that calm, resigned in order. From government to the people, the brave man does not panic, do work hard to hopefully get up from the pile of ruins. It seems the Japanese are aware that their country may face disaster, and the children were being educated about it. Therefore, the whole nation has always devoted efforts, to build a country can minimize the damage from natural disasters.

In my opinion, the Japanese disaster has evoked for us two great lessons: Monday most People (with the same attempt not) to review how they treat nature. Monday, nationalism, ideology shake Japan's perception of the world.

The resilience of the people of Japan 

We, the children of Vietnamese soil, thinking nothing of the disaster? The Japanese also are Asian yellow red blood. During the renovation, the Japanese national side by side with us, helping us to develop the country. The second half of the 20th century, the Japanese have done honor Asia.

I still believe that, with resilient qualities and national spirit, though a great calamity to the extent that the country will also rise in Japan strong after tough. A new Japan will demonstrate this with the world. And it forces us to learn.

Pray for more than a thousand souls ...

(VinaThuAn - VNTA)  

Youth take part in environmental protection

The Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) and the Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) signed an agreement for a joint programme for youth participation in protecting the environmental and dealing with climate change in the 2011-2016 period on March 13.

Accordingly, the two agencies will cooperate to launch a campaign to encourage rural young people to get involved in creating a green, clean, and beautiful environment, and raise awareness of dealing with climate change.

Both sides will also start a “Vietnamese youth for environment” column on VACNE’s website and VYF’s information portal.

Forest fires threaten many localities

Prolonged droughts had put 16 provinces nationwide on level five forest fire alert, the highest warning level, warned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Department of Forest Management.

Southern Tay Ninh and Long An provinces and the Central Highlands Dak Nong Province were at a particularly high risk, according to the department.

Additionally, ten other provinces have been listed at level four warning levels.

The Central Steering Committee for Forest Fire Prevention and Fighting has instructed People's Committees and forest owners in these localities to immediately take preventive measures.

Pumping station ‘a waste of money': official

Poor residents in Thanh Duc Commune in central Nghe An Province are calling for the demolition of a VND1.4 billion (US$70,000) pumping station that has been unused for years.

Thai Doan Bang, the commune People's Committee chairman, said the pumping station was built with State funds for disadvantaged localities. It became operational in 2006 and was designed to irrigate 30ha of paddy fields in the commune.

However, he said local farmers shifted to growing tea, which requires less water than rice. In addition, deforestation has affected the pumping station's water supply.

"There is not enough water to pump. Over the last year, the station and its network of pipes have been utterly redundant," Bang said, adding that the project had been a huge waste of money.

Local resident Trinh Xuan My said the money should have been spent on improving roads in the commune, many of which are unsurfaced.

Other residents said the project had been ill thought out and badly planned.

Adding to villagers' woes is the above-ground 40cm diameter irrigation pipeline that stretches 400 metres across farmland.

The pipeline is one metre above ground and a major obstacle for local farmers.

Nguyen Huu Vinh, chairman of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee, said officials from the district authority had inspected the station and were awaiting a decision from higher authorities before taking action.

Viet Nam to face fresh water shortages by 2050

As many as 8.4 million Vietnamese people would suffer from clean water shortages by 2050 because of climate change, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Viet Nam is one of the five countries most seriously affected by climate change. Millions of hectares of land would be flooded and dozens of millions of residents would lose their houses as sea water rises, said experts from the bank.

The effects of climate change has been affecting water levels in both rural and urban areas. In recent years, water levels in the Mekong River have risen by 41 per cent in the rainy season, but dropped by 24 per cent in the dry season.

More than 70 per cent of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta is saline, with concentration levels of more than four grammes of salt per litre of water.

Due to rising sea levels, up to 0.3-0.5 million hectares of land in the Red River Delta, 0.4 million hectares in Central areas and 1.5-2 million hectares of land in the Mekong Delta would be flooded, the bank warned.

PT_Source: VNN/VOV/VNS