Delayed water plant leaves border commune awaiting clean water in Vietnam

The Muong Lat Water Plant, a VND33-billion (US$1.3 million) project approved in Thanh Hoa Province in July 2024, was designed to produce 1,200 cubic meters of clean water per day.

The plant is expected to supply water to Muong Lat and Tam Chung Communes, as well as dozens of schools and government agencies.

Construction began in December 2024 and was scheduled for completion in February 2026.

The project remains unfinished.

The Thanh Hoa Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board, the project's investor, said several major components are behind schedule, including the intake pumping station, water treatment facilities, storage reservoir, transmission pipelines, administration building, power substation, and erosion protection works.

The investor attributed the delay to unexpected geological conditions after workers encountered solid rock about three meters below ground during excavation, forcing changes to the construction plan.

Prolonged rainfall throughout 2025 also disrupted underground construction.

Pipeline installation through residential areas was slowed by traffic safety clearance requirements.

A shortage of construction materials further delayed the project.

The investor said that the contractor had not deployed enough workers and equipment, while the supervision consultant failed to propose effective technical solutions to address construction problems.

The project management board has requested that the Thanh Hoa People's Committee extend the project's completion deadline until the end of 2026.

Lo Hoai Niem, vice-chairman of the Muong Lat Commune People's Committee, said the delay has forced thousands of residents to continue relying on stream water and groundwater for daily use.

He warned that these water sources pose health and sanitation risks, particularly during the rainy season.

Nearly 1,500 households, or about 7,000 residents, along with dozens of schools and government offices, are still waiting for clean water from the plant, Niem said.

He urged the contractor to speed up construction and bring the project into operation as soon as possible.