Polluted water sources
Over the past time, many households in Quang Trung village, Thach Quang commune (Thanh Hoa) discovered that drilled well water suddenly turned purple-red, accompanied by a foul odor. Households reflected that this situation had happened before, but this time it was more serious and prolonged. Not only did drilled well water change color, Bai Ron stream in the village also appeared a similar phenomenon.
“The incident started in the early days of April 2026, lasting about 20 days. Every time water is pumped from the drilled well, the water turns purple-red, smells very foul, cannot be used, so water must be bought for temporary use. After that, households reported to the local authorities. The Commune People's Committee also sent forces to inspect and take water samples” - Ms. Dung (resident in Quang Trung village, Thach Quang commune) informed.
Also according to many households in Quang Trung village, for decades, people have mainly used well water for daily life. Now the water has changed color and smells fishy, so they dare not use it, because they are worried about affecting their health.
Immediately after receiving the information, Thach Quang Commune People's Committee sent forces to inspect and verify, and at the same time reported to the Department of Agriculture and Environment to take samples and clarify the cause. Initially determined, the phenomenon of Bai Ron stream water and drilled well water of households changing color was due to an incident in the discharge operation of BOB Hanoi Co., Ltd. (textile and garment, laundry sector) in the area.
Who is responsible?
On April 20, Thach Quang Commune People's Committee issued a document requesting BOB Hanoi Co., Ltd. to temporarily suspend laundry operations at Thach Tuong Export Garment Factory to review and renovate the entire wastewater collection and treatment system, and overcome the situation of untreated wastewater flowing into the environment.
Along with that, the company is requested to urgently implement pollution remedial measures; coordinate with the Commune People's Committee and households in Quang Trung village with water sources showing strange colors and smells to ensure hygienic water supply for the daily life of affected people until the well water source returns to normal.
Regarding the incident, the Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) sent forces to the locality, coordinated with Thanh Hoa Provincial Police to verify and take water samples in the stream area to clarify.
According to people in Quang Trung village, the water color change situation has appeared before but at a mild level, and this time it is more serious and prolonged. Initial inspection shows that the responsibility first of all lies with BOB Hanoi Co., Ltd. for not complying with wastewater treatment regulations, allowing wastewater to flow directly into the environment.
People also question the responsibility of state management. Is the inspection and supervision of waste treatment at enterprises really regular and drastic? Or only when an incident occurs, people reflect, public opinion speaks out, then functional agencies intervene. Meanwhile, if inspection and close supervision were carried out early, the incident could have been detected and handled promptly, avoiding the situation of "losing the cow to worry about building the barn".
