Experts warn of environmental incidents as only 10% of urban waste water treated

Untreated or improperly treated waste water from treatment plants may lead to eutrophication, which causes algae blooms in rivers and lakes, leading to pollution, and serious environmental incidents.

According to the Vietnam Water Supply and Drainage Association, by the end of 2016, Vietnam treated only 10 percent of total urban waste water. 

There are only 35 operating concentrated water treatment systems in provinces and cities with total designed capacity of 850,000 cubic meters per day.

Of the 35 waste water treatment plants, there are only five plants using biological treatment technology, 15 plants with second-level biological treatment technology, and eight plants with second-level biological treatment technology in association with nitrogen treatment. 

Meanwhile, only seven plants can treat waste water with bio-technology with nitrogen and phosphorus treatment.

This means that most of the plants can only remove organic matter and pathogenic microorganisms, while they don’t pay attention to the treatment of nitrogen and phosphorus in waste water. The existence of nitrogen and phosphorus lead to eutrophication.

In many cases, waste water treatment plants are designed and operated in a way that does not fit the characteristics of waste water, thus leading to reduced environmental protection.

There are about 5,000 craft villages across the country with industrial production workshops, but most of them don’t have stations to collect and treat waste water. 

With a serious lack of technical infrastructure to treat waste water and sludge, the excess of nutrients in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds causes eutrophication in rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

According to Tran Thi Viet Nga from the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, waste water contains many pollutants and toxins which harm the environment and human health. 

Ammonia, nitrite (NO2), nitrate (NO3) in strong concentration in rivers and lakes is the cause of oxygen depletion in water sources and the algae blooms phenomenon. 

“Nitrogen and phosphorus not only cause eutrophication in rivers and lakes, but also can cause pre-cancerous substances and respiratory failure in children,” Nga said. 

According to Nguyen Phuong Quy, director of SFC Vietnam, the characteristic of urban waste water in Vietnam is the low organic matter and high nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, which makes it difficult to treat the waste. The characteristic is attributed to the bad collection system, Vietnamese habits used in food processing and use of chemicals with high phosphorus content.

Quy said that the treatment of nitrogen and phosphorus is a requirement mentioned in all national waste water treatment standards, but many investors in treatment plants ignore the requirement.

Vietnamnet

Other News

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

The Vietnamese team won one Champion title, four First Runner-up awards, three Second Runner-up awards, 42 gold medals, 83 silver medals, 70 bronze medals and two consolation prizes at the 2026 International Finals of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad Open Contest (AIMO) held in Hanoi on August 2-5.

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch.

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

From a country where more than 50% of the population lived below the poverty line in the early 1990s, Vietnam has reduced its poverty rate to just 2.95% today. This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of socio-economic development policies, but also Vietnam’s ability to translate growth into tangible opportunities for its people, steadily realizing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Backed by more than 4.2 billion VND (161,000 USD) from the State budget, the programme aims to strengthen children's Vietnamese communication skills before they begin primary school, helping them integrate more smoothly into the classroom and improve learning outcomes from the outset.

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Across Ha Tinh and Nghe An, maintenance teams conduct inspections day and night, using thermal cameras and drones to detect potential faults without interrupting electricity supply. Their work helps ensure stable power supply for businesses as the region accelerates development in line with the Government's economic growth targets.

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

A key task is to formulate a support scheme for low-income residents to replace ageing motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet emission standards and pose a high risk of pollution. It will also propose funding to provide free first-time emission testing for motorcycles and mopeds across the city.

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

The committee commended Vietnam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies. It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kinh Thien Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Total economic losses were estimated at about 255 billion VND (nearly 9.7 million USD), with Lai Chau accounting for the largest share of the damage with 190 billion VND, followed by Son La with 46.04 billion VND, Lao Cai with 16.7 billion VND, and Dien Bien with 2.3 billion VND.