High hopes, empty pipes: Inside a central Vietnam commune’s short-lived clean water dream

Less than a year after a new clean water station was handed over in this central Vietnamese locality, the system has gone cold—leaving more than 20 households who paid out of pocket for pipeline connections with dry pipes, lost fees, and left with no choice but to go right back to relying on the alum-tainted well water the project promised to replace.

Built at a cost of more than VND1 billion (US$38,000), the project was launched as part of local authorities' efforts to address residents' long-standing concerns over the quality of their well water.

Developed at Cay Han Dam with funds from the National Target Program on New Rural Development, the water supply station has a design capacity of 250 cubic meters per day, enough to serve about 300 households.

Its facilities include a groundwater extraction well, settling and filtration tanks, and other equipment for treating water for domestic use.

In October 2024, the project was handed over to Binh An Agricultural and Services Cooperative to manage and operate, with the aim of improving residents' access to clean water.

The project was particularly welcomed by residents around Binh An Market, where well water had long been affected by alum contamination.

After the system was completed, more than 20 households registered for the service and paid to have water meters and pipes installed.

At the market, the meters remain in place, but no clean water now flows through the connected pipes.

Le Thi Y, a market vendor, was among those who paid more than VND1.3 million (US$49) to have a meter and pipes installed.

Y said residents were happy when the project was completed and expected it to provide a more reliable source of water for their daily needs and businesses.

However, the clean water supply lasted only a short time before stopping.

"It was only available for a short time, and then there was no more water. We have continued using alum-contaminated well water ever since. We paid for clean water, but now there is none, and the meter is just sitting unused," Y said.

According to local authorities, the number of households registered for the service fell from about 20 to only a few after a short trial period.

With so few households using the service, revenue from water sales was insufficient to cover electricity, operating, and maintenance costs, making it difficult to keep the facility running.

After the service stopped, the households had to return to using their own water sources for daily activities and business.

The facility now shows clear signs of prolonged inactivity.

Weeds and vegetation have overgrown the area, blocking the entrance and partly covering the door of the operation building.

Inside, the water treatment system, storage tanks, and other equipment remain idle.

To prevent the facility from going to waste, the commune's administration has inspected it and reviewed its components that need repairs.

Authorities have also met with residents to discuss ways to resume operations and encourage more households to register for the service.

Pham Quang Su, chairman of the commune's administration, said authorities are considering an appropriate management and operation plan for the facility.

The commune will step up efforts to encourage residents to register for the clean water service and plans to work with Quang Ngai Water Supply Sewerage and Construction JSC to explore the possibility of having the company take over and operate the facility, Su said.

The goal is to resume the service soon, provide residents with clean water, and make effective use of the facility, he said.