Effectiveness of self-management model of rural clean water projects
In the past, people in remote villages such as Khe Lac, Ha Lau commune; Khe San, Phong Du commune had to travel very far to carry water or use untreated water pipes from streams for daily use. Although there were some programs and projects for self-flowing water and clean water in the past, they were mostly ineffective. However, now, clean water has reached every household, making everyone excited.
This change has been achieved since Tien Yen district invested in self-flowing domestic water works in highland areas with full items ensuring treatment according to technical standards for domestic water. These works are directly managed, exploited, used and protected by the villagers themselves through a Management Board consisting of the village chief, representatives of organizations and households and are maintained in operation according to the Regulations issued and approved by the Commune People's Committee.
San Chi people in Dai Duc commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province use clean water. Photo: Tran Hoan
Ms. Ninh Moc Chi (Khe Lac village, Dai Duc commune, Tien Yen district) said that in the past, her family had to bring untreated water from upstream streams for daily activities. The water quality was not guaranteed, especially the water was cloudy on rainy days. But since the construction of a centralized water supply system for Khe Lac, Doan Ket, Keo Cai villages, Dai Duc commune, the water delivered to their homes is much safer and cleaner.
Like the people in Dai Duc, people in Phong Du commune now also enjoy clean water delivered to their homes thanks to the Khe San dam project and the system of pipes, tanks, and filters supplying domestic water in Phong Du commune. This project has a total investment of more than 30 billion VND, from the provincial budget to support new rural construction, with the People's Committee of Tien Yen district as the investor.
Mr. Hoang Van Luong, Party cell secretary and head of Van May village (Phong Du commune) shared that in the past, villagers had to carry water from streams on high hills to their homes. The cost of replacing water pipes every year was very expensive, and the water source was not hygienic. In the dry season, the streams dried up, and villagers had to travel very far to carry water for daily use. Now, with the clean water source invested by the state, people are very excited.
Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nghiem Xuan Cuong and leaders of Tien Yen district surveyed some rural clean water models in Phong Du commune, Tien Yen district. Photo: Tran Hoan
According to Vice Chairman of Phong Du Commune People's Committee Nguyen Chi Dung: The commune has established a self-management team to operate the clean water project. At the same time, it has developed a management regulation, approved a contribution level of 3,000 VND/ m3 to ensure operation to have a source of funds for periodic maintenance and repair of minor damages during use, ensuring the project's post-investment efficiency.
Tien Yen District (Quang Ninh Province) has a large area of hills and mountains, many remote areas, and scattered population. Therefore, bringing clean water to people, especially ethnic minority and mountainous areas, is not easy to implement.
From practice, with specific and creative solutions, Tien Yen district has taken advantage of natural water sources, built a system of dams and reservoirs, applied technology, invested in clean water treatment modules, renovated self-flowing water works, and reduced investment costs. From there, clean rural water is brought to each household in highland and disadvantaged areas in the direction of on-site water generation, water retention, protection of on-site water sources and on-site management, operation and distribution of water.
Increase the rate of clean water use in rural areas
Implementing the national strategy on clean water supply and rural sanitation, in recent years, Quang Ninh province has mobilized many resources to complete infrastructure, expand the rural clean water supply network, contributing to increasing the rate of people using clean water in this area. In particular, Quang Ninh has directed specialized departments and branches to promptly complete the project "Rural clean water supply in Quang Ninh province by 2025".
Delegates visited some clean water models in Phong Du commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province. Photo: Tran Hoan
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Ninh province, there are currently 278 works and systems of works serving water supply in rural areas in the province, including 271 independent works and 7 systems of works connected from existing works. Regarding the management model, the province is managing centralized water supply works according to 4 main models: State agencies (commune-level People's Committees); public service units; state-owned enterprises; and private management.
However, at large-scale water supply projects, the workers at water supply stations are basically unskilled workers, while management and exploitation require high expertise and professionalism. At the same time, the price of water in rural areas is still low, the management and operation costs are high, so the funding for maintenance, repair, renovation and upgrading is limited.
As for small-scale water supply projects, most of them do not charge for water usage; funding sources depend entirely on local budgets. Therefore, the maintenance and upkeep of projects still face many difficulties; many projects with minor damage are not handled and repaired promptly, leading to major damage that is difficult to handle, and over time, the projects become inoperable.
In addition, due to its specific nature, the water supply management area in rural areas is often large and scattered, and people still have the habit of using water from rivers, streams, drilled wells, dug wells, etc. Therefore, the rate of connection to clean water from centralized water supply works in some localities is still low.
The workshop on clean water management model in Quang Ninh province took place on March 15. Photo: Thanh Tuyen
According to Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Ninh province Nguyen Minh Son, it is necessary to find a suitable model for management, operation and exploitation of rural clean water projects so that people can benefit at the cheapest price.
For areas with high connectivity, high population, high usage, and good affordability, centralized water supply projects should be managed by business units. As for rural areas, ethnic minorities, low usage rates, sparse population, and low affordability, through experience, self-management groups managing domestic water projects such as Tien Yen are effective.
In the coming time, localities need to propagate and mobilize people to protect upstream forests; support planting large timber forests in upstream forest areas and irrigation works to maintain water sources.
In addition, localities need to research and exploit centralized rural clean water supply projects, ensuring suitability with specific local conditions, and moving towards building rural clean water product prices that are suitable to reality.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will work with relevant departments and sectors to research, develop plans, and allocate funds to carry out maintenance, repair, and upgrading of water supply works, ensuring sustainable operation of rural clean water management models.
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