However, after only a few days, when Hanoi Drainage Company Limited temporarily stopped supplying water from West Lake, the flow on To Lich River began to stagnate, and some sections gradually turned to the characteristic black color, causing people to worry.
In the Hoang Quoc Viet road area (the origin of To Lich River), many people shared that before September 2, the river was continuously replenished with water from West Lake, so it has changed significantly from black to clear blue.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Phuong, 62 years old, living on Hoang Quoc Viet Street, said: "It's been a long time since we, the people, have seen the clear and green water of To Lich River like in the past few days. But just a few days later, the water stopped flowing and calmed down. We are worried that if there is no long-term solution, the river will be polluted again."
Sharing the same sentiment, Ms. Tran Thu Lan (residing in Nghia Do ward, Hanoi) shared that with the naked eye, you can see and feel the clear change very positively when the river has become more vibrant in recent days. People were happy to see fish appearing on the river, many people even brought rackets to the river to pick up the fish. Hopefully, after many efforts from the authorities to revive the river, we will soon be able to live in a clean air with a stable flow, cool green".
Striving to bring water from West Lake to To Lich River before September 10
In response to this concern of many people in the capital, the Hanoi City Infrastructure and Agricultural Construction Investment Project Management Board informed that after September 3, the city will temporarily stop supplying water from West Lake to To Lich River to prioritize drainage during the rainy season.
In some areas under construction, there is a phenomenon of temporary water flow causing the water to turn black. However, this is only a local, short-term phenomenon, not fully reflecting the river's status. It is expected that in September, when the items are completed, this situation will end.
According to this unit, as of mid-August, the renovation of To Lich River has achieved many remarkable results. All 245 discharge throats directly into the river have been collected and brought to Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The plant is currently in trial operation with a capacity of nearly 200,000m3/day and night, helping many sections of the river to basically improve, so the bottom can be seen.
The renovation items on both sides of the bank have been basically completed, while 3 other major items are the dam in the downstream of Quang bridge, the re-treated water supply line from Yen Xa factory and the water pipeline from Tay lake have reached over 95% of the volume.
According to the plan, before September 10, 2025, water from West Lake will continue to be supplemented to To Lich River. Before September 20, the city will complete the dam and the water supply line after treatment from Yen Xa Factory, ensuring the initial additional flow of 200,000m3/day and night, then gradually increasing to 270,000 m3/day and night. In particular, in September, the direct discharge into the To Lich River will completely end.
The goal of the project is not only to improve water quality but also to restore the ecosystem, creating a green - clean - beautiful urban landscape for people. After completion, To Lich River will have a stable and long-term flow.
