3 arrested in Hanoi over illegal dumping of septic waste into To Lich River

The suspects, Nguyen Khac Dao, 43, Chu Thi Vang, 42, and Nguyen Duy Cuong, 30, were taken into custody following an investigation by the city’s economic police unit, according to a statement from the municipal Department of Public Security.

Surveillance footage showed a vacuum tanker truck dumping liquid waste into a storm drain opposite 584 Lang Street at around 3:00 am on September 5. 

The vehicle was registered to Hanoi Urban Drainage and Environmental Sanitation Company Limited, a private company founded by Dao and Vang in 2018, police said.

Authorities noted that the company lacked a permit to handle waste and had no contracts with any licensed waste treatment facilities. 

After collecting septic waste from a building on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Cuong allegedly drove the truck to Lang Street, opened two manholes by hand, and discharged the waste into the drainage system using a hose.

The release caused a pipeline to rupture, allowing untreated waste to flow directly into the To Lich River. 

The incident led to strong odors and severe pollution across a wide area, police reported.

Officials added that the illegal dumping caused structural damage to infrastructure related to the Yen Xa wastewater treatment project. 

Hanoi authorities said the act directly violated city policies aimed at improving water quality in the To Lich River.

The investigation is ongoing.