HCM City still suffers from polluting canals

There are about 20,000 households living along HCM City's canals and channels. The wastewater is discharged directly into the environment and causes severe pollution in Vietnam’s most populous city.

There are about 20,000 households living along HCM City's canals and channels. The wastewater is discharged directly into the environment and causes severe pollution in Vietnam’s most populous city.

 

Many households live along the canals

The canals and channels in many districts like Binh Thanh and Binh Tan have blackish water and rubbish can be seen floating around. Xuyen Tam in Binh Thanh District is considered the most polluted place in HCM City but the project to deal with the pollution is stagnant.

 

Rubbish discharged directly into the environment

Le Thi Nam, a local resident, said, "We have to live with the pollution. It's worse if it rains because the rains will sweep rubbish and polluted water into our houses. We really worry about our children."

Sau Su Channel is also heavily polluted from the rubbish from nearby markets and households. The rains keep bring rubbish from other places to the channel and foam can be seen on the blackish water.

Nguyen Thu Trang, a resident living near Vinh Loc A Commune canal, said, "We can't bear the smell anymore. Rubbish and dead animals from other places are also swept there. But our worst fear is flies and mosquitoes at night."

 

Polluting canal in HCM City

Tran Vinh Tuyen, vice chairman of HCM City People's Committee, said, "The long-term plan is to relocate all households living along the canals and channels. If the pollution problem is dealt with, we can improve the environment and boost inland waterway tourism."

Households with legal documents will be given new resettlement. Those that have encroached upon public land will be dealt with.

Tuyen said that district and wards authorities must heavily punish litterers to raise awareness about the problem.