Hanoi to source water from Red River

Authorities in Hanoi have decided to exploit surface water from the Hong (Red) River to ease water shortages and ensure a long-term water source for the city.

The municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Quoc Hung told vnexpress newspaper that the city would start construction of a new plant to exploit surface water from the Hong River in Dan Phuong district in October this year.

The new plant is expected to supply more than 300,000 cubic metres per day to the city when it is completed by the end of 2017.

Another project has also been started to increase the capacity of the Bac Thang Long - Van Tri Water Plant in Dong Anh district. It is scheduled to provide more 30,000 cubic metres per day to residents of Hoan Kiem and Hai Ba Trung and several inner city areas by March next year.

More wells and underground water sources will increase the output of existing water plants.

Hung said that the city had decided to build an emergency pipeline to bring water from the Da River to the area near the National Convention Centre. The 20km pipeline will help ease pressure on existing sources that could break at any time.

"The emergency pipeline will reduce the pressure and ensure safety on the main pipeline. After completion, it would share between 80,000 to 100,000 cu.m of water with the main pipeline to ensure water supplies for the city's residents," said Hung.

The water pipeline from the Da River to the city broke again last week, the 13th time in the past four years. However, city authorities said they had already repaired the pipe before shortages were reported in Dong Da and Cau Giay districts.-VNA