Construction on the first fresh water reservoir in Bach Long Vy Island in the northern city of Hai Phong began on March 2, the first step towards tackling the water demand of hundreds of residents in the locality.

The 40,000 sq.m reservoir, to cost 188 billion VND (8.8 million USD), will has a capacity of 60,000 cubic metre of water.
The construction project, invested by the volunteer youth organisation of Hai Phong, is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

The fresh water reservoir project will not only help ensure water supply for the local people but also serve fishermen who operate offshore in the Tonkin Gulf, said Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Nguyen Anh Tuan.

About 150 kilometres from the mainland, Bach Long Vy Island has experienced years of severe fresh water shortage. Local residents rely on drilled wells for water but during the dry season, they have to purchase water at the elevated cost of 40,000 VND (1.87 USD) - 50,000 VND (2.34 USD) per cubic metre.-VNA