Solve the problem from the root
As we know, currently, a series of rivers and canals across provinces and cities across the country are "crying for help" due to serious pollution and widespread encroachment, especially rivers and canals flowing through the centers of large cities, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City...
In Hanoi alone, there are rivers flowing through the inner city that seem to have "died" due to heavy pollution, such as the To Lich, Kim Nguu, Nhue, Lu, and Set rivers... People compare these rivers to open sewers transporting wastewater, emitting a foul smell, no longer truly a river.
"These are all rivers that carry the flow of history. In the process of urbanization, we have killed them. The natural source of clean water is no longer available, replaced by wastewater or rainwater. That not only makes the river "die" but also leads to many consequences, such as water pollution, air pollution, loss of urban landscape", Associate Professor Dr. Tran Duc Ha - Senior Lecturer at Hanoi University of Construction shared at the seminar "Saving the rivers".
According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Duc Ha, in addition to the problem of natural flow, the rivers flowing through the inner city currently have a large amount of sediment that needs to be treated. In addition, the process of urbanization and concreting causes the underground water to gradually disappear, which is a necessary source of water for a true river.
Experts believe that the above factors are the root of the problem that we must deal with if we want to "revive" polluted rivers. At the same time, the awareness of each citizen also needs to be further raised by absolutely not throwing garbage into rivers, canals...
According to Dr. Dao Trong Tu - Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam River Network, rivers flowing through urban areas will inevitably receive wastewater. This is acceptable on the condition that the wastewater must be treated before being discharged directly into the river.
From the above comments we can see the importance of wastewater treatment plant construction projects.
"To completely solve the pollution in rivers, canals, lakes..., it is necessary to have wastewater treatment plants. No river can withstand the current rapid urban development. However, where and how to place the plants to be suitable also needs to be carefully calculated," Dr. Dao Trong Tu shared.
Giving specific examples, Dr. Dao Trong Tu said that the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal (HCMC) has now become clean and beautiful, far different from the heavy pollution of the past. To achieve that result, HCMC has built a very methodical renovation project, dealing with the root cause of the problem.
Accordingly, the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal Improvement Project follows the correct principles, including: Transferring wastewater flows down the sewer to the centralized treatment plant, then sealing the discharge gates, then dredging down to the elevation to create enough drainage capacity for the canal...
"However, to do so requires economic potential. Ho Chi Minh City has many polluted rivers and canals, but so far it has only been possible to "revive" a section of the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal," Dr. Dao Trong Tu shared.
Experts say that once we have found the root of the problem, we need to start focusing on solving it immediately.
Need drastic intervention
In fact, not only in Vietnam but also in many countries around the world, there used to be "dead" rivers. However, up to now, they have succeeded in renovating and turning these rivers into attractive tourist destinations, such as the Thames River in England.
Accordingly, the UK has tightened environmental regulations including sanctions for violators in urban areas, relocation of factories and toxic industries out of cities, and restrictions on the traditional film washing industry - a major cause of heavy metal pollution in rivers...
Citing another example in Korea, Dr. Dao Trong Tu said that Cheonggyecheon Stream (name of a stream in Korea - PV) was once filled in to make a road. In 1968, people built an elevated highway above it. However, in July 2003, a project to restore the stream was proposed.
"This is an ambitious project because not only does it require removing the elevated highway, but it also requires reviving a waterway that was filled in a long time ago and is now almost dry, requiring pumping in 120,000 tons of water every day. Despite much opposition and criticism, the project was finally completed in September 2005 and was hailed as a great achievement in the effort to create a green, clean and beautiful city," Dr. Dao Trong Tu shared.
Therefore, experts believe that to "revive" polluted rivers and canals in our country, it requires the drastic participation of specialized agencies and management agencies; comprehensive consideration of many aspects and fields; and placed in a master plan linked with other sectors.
Experts also say that it is too late to start now, but even if it is late, it must be done.
"Protecting resources and the environment should be planned in parallel with urban development. It would be very dangerous if we only focus on solving problems when they have already occurred without any foresight," Associate Professor Dr. Tran Duc Ha shared.
