Hundreds of wells in a village in the central province of Quang Ngai Province have been polluted, threatening local health.
 |
| Diesel is suspected to have polluted local wells |
 |
| Locals worry about health risks |
Over the past three weeks, people in residential area No. 18, Dinh Tan Village, Binh Chau Commune, Binh Son District have become increasingly concerned about the situation and lodged complaints with the local authority.
The substance has penetrated the area’s ground water and could pollute the wells for years.
Local resident Le Thi Thien said the wells are covered with a layer of scum and emit a bad odour. Villagers have been compelled to travel kilometres to source clean water.
Nguyen Quoc Vuong, Chairman of Binh Chau Commune People’s Committee said, the local authority had checked the wells, and they had informed the district about the problem.
“We are not sure, but perhaps the substance is diesel oil discharged from nearby petroleum businesses. To reach an accurate conclusion, we need test done. If the situation is not dealt with immediately, the environment will become more polluted.”
The odour of the pollutant is similar to diesel. Many people suspect that it may be diesel that has leaked from underground oil tanks which support the area’s fishing industry.
Residential area No. 18 is located near to suppliers providing logistics services to the local trawler fleet. A petroleum depot is also located near to the residential area.
