In 2014, the island was home to 546 wells. The figure has increased to around 2,000 at present.
A well in Ly Son
According to local regulations, well drilling and digging needs to be licensed, but lots of people have ignored this.
Since early this month, the violations have become more rampant. People often dig wells at night and then try to use different ways to hide what they did.
Many wells have been dug extremely deep which has seriously affected the underground water.
Dang Tan Thanh, vice chairman of Ly Son District People’s Committee, said that since early March, local authorities have found three violations.
Violators are requested to destroy their illegal wells and pay fines. The highest fine is up to VND30 million (USD1,304) applied for the depth of 40-50 metres.
Ly Son Island is facing a shortage of underground water as drought looms following long droughts and saltwater intrusion.
