In early July 2025, reporters from Lao Dong Newspaper were present at the clean water supply project concentrated in the Bo sub-area (Da Bac town, old Hoa Binh province), now Da Bac commune, Phu Tho province after the three provinces of Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh and Phu Tho were merged from July 1, 2025.
According to records, the project has now seriously degraded. The iron gate is rusty, covered with moss, and weeds grow wildly from the inside out. The operating house area behind is closed, the roof is covered with weeds, and there are clear signs of abandonment.
Inside, the water tank system was lying idle and not operating. All as a living proof of the waste of the project that was once expected to provide clean water to thousands of households.
Mr. Nguyen Van Lam (64 years old, a resident of Bo sub-region, Da Bac commune) recalled that the centralized clean water supply project was started in 2007, nearly 18 years ago.
Initially, the system operated stably, meeting the domestic water needs of the entire town of Da Bac, the old Hoa Binh province. However, after only a few months of operation, the main well suddenly collapsed, causing the entire water supply system to stop until now.
"For nearly two decades, the project has been lying idle and has not been repaired once. People have returned to the scene of lack of clean water, and are making ends meet by drilling wells," Mr. Lam shared.
Mr. Lam said that the prolonged water shortage not only occurred to people in Da Bac town (old Hoa Binh province), but also affected a part of residents of Toan Son commune - an area formerly in Da Bac district, now merged into Da Bac commune, Phu Tho province. Both areas share water from this project.
Ms. Cao Thi Hue (52 years old, residing in Thach Ly sub-region), said that because the terrain here is mainly mountainous, many households cannot access the underground water even though it has been drilled deeply. The lack of clean water has disrupted daily life and significantly affected life.
"We hope the project will be repaired soon so that people no longer have to suffer from lack of clean water. Having a stable water source also helps people live more civilized lives, reducing hardship for people", Ms. Hue expressed.
Regarding the abandoned clean water supply project, Mr. Dao Tien Quyet - Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Bac commune said that the project is currently managed by Hoa Binh Clean Water Joint Stock Company.
"After the merger, the new government is still in the process of stabilizing the apparatus, so it is not possible to soon come up with a specific plan for the clean water project. Previously, the old government had repeatedly petitioned superiors to consider repairing and restoring the system, but there were still many problems between the parties involved, causing the problem to continue until now," Mr. Quyet informed.
