The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the People’s Committee of the northern province of Bac Ninh on April 25 held a ceremony to launch the 2014 national week of clean water and environmental sanitation.

Addressing the function in Song Ho commune, Thuan Thanh district, Deputy Minister Hoang Van Thang noted that water as vital for social development.

As a locality posting high industrial growth, Bac Ninh suffers from serious pollution, especially in its rivers. This affects human health and agricultural production.

Under the national target programme on clean water and environmental sanitation, up to 95 percent of rural households in Bac Ninh have access to clean water and 63 percent of them have hygienic latrines.

In response to the national week, agencies and units across the province have focused on building, managing, operating and maintaining sustainable water supply facilities. More attention has also been paid to inspections of water quality.

On this occasion, a water plant worth 17 billion VND (799,000 USD) was inaugurated in Song Ho commune. With a capacity of 960 cubic metres per day, the factory will provide clean water to nearly 6,000 local households.-VNA