Many households in a mountainous district in Quang Tri Province have been complaining water quality stemming from low-quality constructions in the area that has deteriorated after just a short time of being put into use.
Empty water tank
Only two out of 17 hydrants in Ruong Village are working and much of the other water supply equipment and construction in Dakrong District has not been operational for a long time without repair efforts. The situation has resulted in hundreds of households having to resort to getting their water for daily use from local streams and lakes.
Due to poor designs of the water system, including pipes and the locations of water tanks, people in the villages of Ka Reng and Khe Hien have not had access to clean water during the dry season. One villager said, "We were so happy when the new system was first installed. But it was a short-lived happiness because most of it was badly damaged after the flood in 2009."
Abandoned water tank
The people of Thuan Commune face a similar situation, having to use water from the La La and Se Pon rivers, even though these two rivers are polluted from waste water from processing plants. Using water from lake or stream to cook and bathe, the villagers face a high risk of skin or gastrointestinal infections. The communal officials have reported these problems to higher authorities and requested funds to fix the situation numerous times, but the problems remain.
Water supply constructions in A Xing Commune were built in accordance with programme 135, which aimed to help disadvantaged communities. Other equipment in Thanh and A Doi communes also cannot be used and are still awaiting repair.
Ho Van Sau, Deputy Chairman of Huong Hiep Commune People's Committee, said six water supply constructions were meant to provide clean water to 5,000 people living in ten villages. However, because of floods and the lack of protection of public property, most are damaged or in a state of disrepair.