The Hanoi People's Committee on June 21 issued Plan No.168/KH-UBND outlining urgent measures to enhance the control and treatment of water pollution in the Nhue-Day River, Ngu Huyen Khe River, Cau Bay River, and the Bac Hung Hai irrigation system.

The plan aims to improve the effectiveness of water pollution control in these river basins and enhance the accountability of state management agencies and related units in protecting the environment.

It also seeks to integrate existing environmental plans and programs that remain in effect and are relevant to these river systems.

The key measures include investment in environmental infrastructure such as collection and treatment facilities for wastewater from urban areas and craft villages, and the construction of automatic monitoring systems for high-volume discharge sources.

Hanoi will establish a database of all discharge sources into the river basins and implement strict monitoring based on which level or agency approved or licensed each source.

Projects failing to meet environmental protection standards will be denied environmental permits or investment licenses.

Surface water quality will be assessed regularly, with the monitoring network reviewed and expanded to include additional stations, both manual and automated, at critical pollution points.

Authorities will step up inspections, including unannounced checks, and enforce strict penalties for violations.

Facilities discharging untreated wastewater may be suspended or required to upgrade their treatment systems.

The plan also emphasizes raising public awareness and encouraging community participation in protecting water resources.

Communication campaigns will engage citizens and businesses, while political and social organizations will be mobilized to supervise and offer feedback.

The plan includes 14 specific tasks, which include implementing national water quality management plans after they are issued by the government, assessing agricultural impacts on water resources, developing mechanisms for regulating and replenishing river flows, and updating regulations to ensure minimum continuous flow in the Bac Hung Hai irrigation system.

Hanoi will create and maintain a shared database for water quality and discharge sources, identify pollution hotspots, and propose appropriate solutions.

Sustainable farming, aquaculture, and food processing models will be promoted to minimize water pollution, along with wastewater reuse and resource-efficient practices.

Discharge sources will be catalogued, and a roadmap developed to ensure that wastewater from craft villages is fully collected and treated before release.

Authorities will also inspect compliance with environmental laws and maintain the automated water monitoring station on Cau Bay River at the Am Pumping Station in Da Ton Commune, Gia Lam District.

Infrastructure investments will include construction of wastewater treatment plants, automated monitoring stations, and dredging of riverbeds.

Authorities will remove unauthorized waste dumping points along Ngu Huyen Khe River and suspend new or expanded production projects discharging into it.

By 2025, all operating facilities discharging into this river must have compliant wastewater treatment systems or closed-loop recycling solutions.

Wastewater treatment facilities will be built for urban areas and service and production zones, based on approved environmental dossiers.

The plan mandates coordinated implementation of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and the 2023 Law on Water Resources, with relevant city departments and district-level authorities responsible for carrying out the approved water restoration projects.

The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment will report on progress and propose projects for dredging and repairing irrigation infrastructure.

It will ensure smooth river flow in the Cau Bay system and review environmental protection fees for wastewater.

The Hanoi Department of Construction will review wastewater collection and treatment systems in all urban areas from Class V and above, and promote investment in treatment plants, especially during 2022-2025 and 2026-2030.

The key plants to be operated include Kim Lien, Yen So, Truc Bach, Tay Ho, and Son Dong.

The department will also maintain rivers such as To Lich, Kim Nguu, Set, and Lu, and propose measures to replenish the To Lich River with water from the Red River.

The plan underscores the need for practical, effective, and feasible measures, and clearly assigns responsibilities to all relevant organizations and agencies.

Prompt resolution of obstacles is required to ensure progress in line with the plan's objectives.