The interprovincial water supply system project across Mekong Delta is predicted to cost 1.67 billion USD, according to a workshop on the project report held in Can Tho city on January 28.

The project aims to exploit non-saline water resources in Hau River to provide a stable fresh water supply for seven provinces and cities to the river’s southwest, which is facing an influx of saline water and declining underground water quality.

The target localities are Hau Giang, An Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang provinces and Can Tho city.

Deputy Minister of Construction Cao Dai Quang said the Ministry has called for loan support from the World Bank to carry out the project.

According to the Vietnam Water, Sanitation and Environment Joint Stock Company, the project will include two water plants with a combined capacity of 820,000 cubic metres per day, a 530 kilometre-long water pipe network and 12 water booster stations.

Upon completion, the project will improve living and environmental conditions for local residents, contributing to the socio-economic development of the southern key economic region by 2020 and for many years afterwards.-VNA