People living near Nuoc Trong stream, Dong Nai Province are being exposed to illness due to the stream’s contaminated water.
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| Nuoc Trong stream’s reddish water responsible for killing many animals of farmers from the 3 communes |
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| Sores on a farmer’s leg were caused by toxic waste-water from the Nuoc Trong stream |
Locals everywhere are complaining about the polluted stream which is having a negative impact on their lives and health. Many are extremely worried about the outbreak of epidemic diseases.
Covering over 20 kilometres, the Nuoc Trong stream runs through Tam Phuoc, An Phuoc and Tam An communes of Long Thanh District, Dong Nai Province. Previously, the stream was used as a water drainage system and also was a fresh water source for farming and hundreds of families.
However, at present, this stream is being contaminated by toxic waste-water released from Tam Phuoc Industrial Zone.
Other industrial zones also are discharging waste-water into this stream. The discharge then runs into Dong Nai River, which plays an important role in industrial and agricultural production and providing fresh water for millions of civilians living in the southeast area and Ho Chi Minh City.
Pointing at the filthy stream, Nguyen Nam Hai from Hamlet 7, Tam An Commune said, “Water from the stream turns black, especially after heavy rains. Its stench makes my eyes hurt.”
Nguyen Thi Cho, who has over 2,000 ducks at Tam An Commune, is very depressed because her ducks are dying one by one. “My family has lost not only ducks but also fish. The stream’s water is terribly polluted. One night, the disgusting smell became so unbearable that I had to cover my nose with a cloth,” complained Cho.
More seriously, the contaminated environment has affected the health of locals. Many children are suffering from skin and respiratory diseases.
On October 3, three children of Tam An Commune were diagnosed with acute diarrhea due to using water from the stream. According to people here, the number of children having respiratory and digestion diseases is increasing rapidly.
In order to avoid these diseases, many families have to dig wells for taking water or move to other places.
Ineffective solutions to pollution
Quang Hoang Huynh, an environmental official of Tam An Commune said that people had come to the People’s Committee of the commune many times to report about the polluted stream.
The investigation result revealed that the reported situation was true. However, the local authority cannot do anything. They reported it to the Department of Natural Resources & Environment of Long Thanh District and asked for their help. Nevertheless, locals have not received any feedback from the authorities. “We have imposed administrative punishment to environmental violators but the situation hasn’t improved,” said an environmental official.
In April 2008, the Department of Natural Resources & Environment of Dong Nai Province fined Tin Nghia Company, investor of the Tam Phuoc Industrial Zone, VND22 million ($1,116) for releasing waste-water containing chemical compounds which exceed acceptable standards into the environment.
However, the pollution situation of the Nuoc Trong stream has only gotten worse. The Department of Natural Resources & Environment of Dong Nai Province has requested the People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province to assign relevant agencies for resolving this issue.
Furthermore, Long Thanh District and Bien Hoa City were also asked to conduct compensation for site clearance in a bid to build water drainage systems in these areas. More thorough investigation on implementing regulations on environmental protection at farming and manufacturing plants which have discharged toxic waste-water into the Nuoc Trong stream.
