Without adequate systems for waste collection and treatment, an environmental company in Yen Bai Province puts thousands of people at risk.
Burning rubbish
Yen Bai Urban Environment and Public Works Company manages the huge dumping ground of Tuan Quan which is nearly 50,000 square metres. Everyday, the company collects several tonnes of rubbish from Yen Bai City and simply deposits it into the ground, with no treatment systems.
The nearby town is affected by the dumping ground and is extremely polluted. And when the weather changes, flies and mosquitoes swarm local homes.
The waste water flows unhindered from the dump, and has been reported to contaminate wells.
As a result, thousands of people living near the area have had to deal with not only the bad smell of garbage, but also the bad health effects of water pollution.
At least ten people living in the area have died of various forms of cancer in the past three years; and up to 80% of people in nearby households said they often suffer from skin and respiratory illness.
After the locals’ reaction, an inspection delegation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment came to the dumping ground. They found that the company has no system in place to treat waste, and has not made any effort to research the environmental impact of their operations.
In July, 2010, the Yen Bai People’s Committee issued a decision to fine the company VND60 million (USD2,943) for its violations. Under the decision, the company was also required to deal with the pollution at the Tuan Quan dump.
Not only did the firm not pay the fine, they did nothing to improve the situation, causing more health problems for the local community.
According to many officials from the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the company believes that it has the monopoly on rubbish collection in the province, so, if its operation is suspended, no other company will have the capacity to take over. As a result, they have continued operations as usual, regardless of the will of the people and requests of authorities.
Nguyen Thi Tam, on behalf of the locals, proposed that the company, in conjunction with local authorities, install a clean water supply. However the company said that since the people do not live in a concentrated area, this solution would be too costly and difficult.
The trash from the dump seeps into ground water
The road to the dump
Burning rubbish
Wells are abandoned because of contamination
