For 7 years, people have still paid for water every month, but to have water to use with peace of mind, many families have to buy more bottled water themselves, install water purifiers, and replace cores continuously.
According to reports, the water supply system at the Resettlement Area Area C, Pham Van Dong University, has experienced water contamination with alum, discoloration, sediment and fishy odor for many years.
Some families have to use drilled wells for bathing and washing, tap water is only for cooking; some households install up to three filtration systems, but the filter core quickly turns black and is full of sediment.
More worryingly, many underground pipes have rotted, and some sections of zinc pipes are rusty. Degraded pipes are identified as one of the causes affecting water quality.
Clean water is an essential need, directly related to health and quality of life. People cannot still pay money every month to buy "clean water", but when opening the tap, they have to worry about what color the water is, what smell it is, whether there is sediment or not.
It is also not possible to push the responsibility of handling to each family by buying a water purifier. It is unreasonable for people to both pay for water every month and have to pay additional costs to buy bottled water and install filtering equipment to feel secure in using it.
The issue raised is the responsibility of coordination of water supply units, local authorities and relevant agencies in early identification of causes, network management responsibilities and remedial plans.
Businesses must ensure water quality according to regulations, proactively inspect networks, detect abnormalities and have timely handling plans.
The government must supervise, urge, and protect the legitimate rights of the people, not allowing an issue related to public health to drag on year after year.
The fact that Quang Ngai Water Supply and Drainage and Construction Joint Stock Company coordinated to take samples for testing, increase discharge and calculate a plan to replace the entire pipeline is a necessary signal.
But what people need is not only a plan on paper, but specific deadlines, a clear roadmap and a truly safe water source.
For pipelines that have been used for decades and are degraded, replacement must be considered an investment for public health, and should not only be considered in terms of immediate costs.
It is also necessary to publicize the water quality test results for people. If there are any abnormalities, it is necessary to clearly notify the extent, cause, remedial measures and completion time.
We cannot let people live in a state of "thirst for clean water" right in the city.
It is time for clean water supply to be considered in the true sense of responsibility to people's lives.
Please protect people's health from the tap in each house, every time you open the tap, there must be a clean and safe water source.
