An overview of the waste treatment facility in Dong Thang Commune, Can Tho City
The solid waste treatment facility in Dong Thang Commune, Can Tho City, is six hectares beside Road 922. Since its operation in 2010, the facility has polluted the surrounding area, currently receiving over 100 tonnes of rubbish daily.
Wastewater with a foul odour has been discharged into local canals, and smoke from waste-burning activities has plagued residents.
According to the Can Tho City Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the city generated nearly 118,000 tonnes of domestic rubbish in the first six months of 2024, equivalent to over 648 tonnes daily.
"With two waste treatment plants operating in the area, the city had some 148 tonnes of rubbish that were not treated daily during the period," the department said. "That has led to the mounting piles of nearly 1 million tonnes of rubbish in the area, including some 700,000 tonnes at Dong Thang Waste Treatment Plant."
The department has proposed to Can Tho City People's Committee that another waste treatment facility be built in Thoi Lai District.
In neighbouring Kien Giang Province, a dumping site covering 1.4 hectares next to National Road 61 in Vinh Hoa Hung Nam Commune, Go Quao District, has seriously polluted surrounding residential areas.
Despite being fenced with a concrete wall, wastewater from the dumping site in Vinh Hoa Hung Nam Commune has leaked into nearby rice fields.
Despite being fenced with a concrete wall, wastewater from the dumping site has leaked into nearby rice fields, causing a foul odour.
Trang Hong Nghia, vice chairman of the Go Quao District People's Committee, said the dumping site was established 20 years ago, and rubbish was mostly buried. It has received over 50,000 tonnes of waste and still receives 10 tonnes a day.
"As the amount of waste increases, pollution has become more serious," he said. "The dumping site has expanded, and lots of rubbish has been found on the road. We've had to put up warning boards and cameras in the area to prevent people from illegally dumping on the road."
Nghia said they are waiting for a waste treatment plant project in Giong Rieng District to be completed so the waste can be moved there for treatment. However, the project has been slow to progress.