Hanoi Clean Water Service Company has promised to supply enough clean water to the city for the rest of the year after recent complaints of severe water shortages were reported in some areas of the capital city.
Company director Nguyen Nhu Hai blamed increased demand and power blackouts for the problem.
He said shortages for up to 45 days had been caused by a 10 to 15 percent increase in demand over the same period last year.
And, 88 power failures, almost all without notice, had stopped power supplies to water pumping stations.
Underground water levels are also low. Many wells, most linked to pumps, are supplying only 70-80 percent of their capacity.
"It normally takes four to five hours to restore power and get the pumps working again," said Hai.
Even after power goes back, some areas in high terrains still can't get water.
In addition, many construction companies have damaged water pipes during their work without reporting the problem to the Ha Noi Clean Water Service Company.
For example, a water pipe in Hoang Quoc Viet street was broken in two places, but was then corrected by using a tube to run the water down a drain. It took more than a week for workers to find the deception.
In Cau Giay district, problems with one water pipe were reported 70 times before the blame was laid on one construction company.
"Companies avoid responsibility for their mistake, forcing the Hanoi Clean Water Service Company to suffer the loss," said Hai.
In 14 Hanoi districts, only 64.7 percent of residents get clean tap water on a regular basis.
The city People's Committee has told ministries and agencies to speed up a project to supply clean water to districts in the expanding parts of the city.
Nguyen Van Dung, director of the Ha Dong Water Supply Company which will invest in the project, said 346.8 billion VND (18.2 million USD) would be used to supply clean water to over 100,000 households in Chuong My, Hoai Duc and Thanh Oai districts.
At present, the company is working with local authorities to calculate the water demands of residents and install pipelines and water clocks.
The project will begin by early 2011, Dung said./.
Company director Nguyen Nhu Hai blamed increased demand and power blackouts for the problem.
He said shortages for up to 45 days had been caused by a 10 to 15 percent increase in demand over the same period last year.
And, 88 power failures, almost all without notice, had stopped power supplies to water pumping stations.
Underground water levels are also low. Many wells, most linked to pumps, are supplying only 70-80 percent of their capacity.
"It normally takes four to five hours to restore power and get the pumps working again," said Hai.
Even after power goes back, some areas in high terrains still can't get water.
In addition, many construction companies have damaged water pipes during their work without reporting the problem to the Ha Noi Clean Water Service Company.
For example, a water pipe in Hoang Quoc Viet street was broken in two places, but was then corrected by using a tube to run the water down a drain. It took more than a week for workers to find the deception.
In Cau Giay district, problems with one water pipe were reported 70 times before the blame was laid on one construction company.
"Companies avoid responsibility for their mistake, forcing the Hanoi Clean Water Service Company to suffer the loss," said Hai.
In 14 Hanoi districts, only 64.7 percent of residents get clean tap water on a regular basis.
The city People's Committee has told ministries and agencies to speed up a project to supply clean water to districts in the expanding parts of the city.
Nguyen Van Dung, director of the Ha Dong Water Supply Company which will invest in the project, said 346.8 billion VND (18.2 million USD) would be used to supply clean water to over 100,000 households in Chuong My, Hoai Duc and Thanh Oai districts.
At present, the company is working with local authorities to calculate the water demands of residents and install pipelines and water clocks.
The project will begin by early 2011, Dung said./.
