Pig farm monitoring to protect Rao Truong stream water source

Mr. Nguyen Huu Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Tri province, said that he has just reported to the Provincial People's Committee the results of water quality monitoring in Rao Truong stream, Vinh Ha commune, Vinh Linh district.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Tri province took water samples in the Rao Truong stream area - Photo: Van Phong

Accordingly, implementing the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection and following the feedback of voters and the press, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has organized an inspection of the implementation of works and environmental protection measures at pig farms in Vinh Ha commune and surveyed, monitored and assessed the water quality in Rao Truong stream area.

The inspection results showed that upstream of Rao Truong stream, there are 2 pig farms including: "High-tech pig farm in Rao Truong village" owned by Mr. Pham Ngoc Loi and "Industrial pig farm in Rao Truong village" owned by Ms. Pham Thi Thong.

From January to March 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Environment surveyed and took water samples 3 times, at 6 locations on Rao Truong stream, from the wastewater receiving area of ​​2 farms to the downstream (after passing Rao Truong bridge 100m). The results showed that Rao Truong stream point directly receiving wastewater from 2 farms has water quality at very bad to bad level. This is the source point, the water flow in the stream is very small, so the ability to dilute pollutants is low.

Next point the pollution in water sources tends to decrease due to increased natural dilution; water quality is poor to moderate.

The final point from the middle of the residential area and after passing through Rao Truong village residential area, the pollution has been significantly reduced thanks to the natural dilution capacity increased according to the flow of the stream, the water quality is quite good.

Mr. Nam said that in the coming time, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will continue to coordinate with agencies, units and local authorities to monitor the activities of livestock farms.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment requires the two pig farm owners to seriously maintain wastewater treatment operations, conduct periodic monitoring of wastewater quality according to the environmental license granted by the provincial People's Committee; and correct the shortcomings that have been pointed out.

In case the wastewater exceeds the permitted standards, the farm owner must have solutions to prevent and respond, reduce capacity or stop operations to fix, renovate and upgrade, and promptly report to the Department of Agriculture and Environment for monitoring and guidance. The two farm owners must coordinate closely with each other, at the same time coordinate with local authorities and people to strengthen solutions to manage waste sources and protect water sources.

It is known that Rao Truong stream has been polluted many times due to waste from pig farms upstream. The incident has been reported by local people and many press agencies, including Quang Tri Newspaper.

For example, on April 2, 2024 and December 30, 2024, local people discovered that Rao Truong stream water turned black and gave off a foul smell, causing fish to die. In April 2024, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province fined Mr. Pham Ngoc Loi 155 million VND and Ms. Pham Thi Thong 45 million VND, both for discharging wastewater into the environment exceeding the permitted standards into Rao Truong stream.

Many leaders and experts in the agricultural sector believe that authorities must increase inspections and require investors and farm owners to comply with environmental licenses.

Van Phong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/giam-sat-trang-trai-lon-de-bao-ve-nguon-nuoc-khe-rao-truong-192932.htm