Over the past twenty years, hundreds of households near Tinh An Tay Industrial Cluster in Quang Ngai City have faced severe pollution from untreated plant wastewater.
Residents have reported the problem to the authorities, but nothing has been done to improve the situation.
Tinh An Tay Industrial Cluster is home to 16 enterprises specialising in plastic, packaging and industrial wood production.
Van Thi My Loc from Doc Lap Village in Tinh An Tay Commune said the pollution has been going on for dozens of years. The wastewater has polluted the nearby canal by the Tinh An Tay Industrial Cluster. During hot days, the contamination becomes more serious.
The wastewater has polluted the nearby canal by the Tinh An Tay Industrial Cluster
The unprocessed wastewater discharged into the environment has caused mass fish deaths in the locality. Despite repeated protests from the locals, the issue remains unabated.
In February this year, a firm at Tinh An Tay Industrial Cluster was fined VND330 million (USD12,996) for releasing untreated wastewater into the environment.
According to Tra Thanh Danh, Chairman of the Quang Ngai City People’s Committee, the committee has proposed relocating the Tinh An Tay Industrial Cluster to tackle the pollution.
The same situation occurred at Dong Dinh, Binh Nguyen and Quang Phu industrial clusters in Quang Ngai. People there have vehemently opposed the discharge of unprocessed wastewater into the environment.
The Quang Ngai Department of Industry and Trade reported that among 15 local industrial clusters, only the Son Ha Industrial Cluster in Son Ha District has built a wastewater treatment system with a daily capacity of 300 cubic metres.
Binh Nguyen Industrial Cluster has approved a plan to build a wastewater treatment plant, costing VND14.7 billion.
The provincial Department of Industry and Trade has asked the local Department of Natural Resources and Environment and concerned agencies to tighten control over environmental violations.
