RMIT Vietnam promotes research on wastewater management solutions

RMIT Vietnam organizes workshops and research on nature-based solutions (NBS) to reduce the impact of urbanization, wastewater management, etc.

NBS are inspired and supported by nature, cost-effective, deliver environmental, social and economic benefits, and help build resilience. They can diversify natural processes and features into cities and landscapes through locally adapted interventions, adjustments, and systematic resource efficiency.

To raise awareness and promote the application of NBS in the process of dealing with urbanization, climate change and wastewater management issues, RMIT University Vietnam organized the APN 2023 National Conference in August. With the theme "Scalability and mass adoption of NBS solutions: Challenges and opportunities", the event was attended by representatives from leading universities in the country such as Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), Can Tho University and International University.

Experts propose solutions at the APN 2023 National Conference. Photo: RMIT Vietnam

At the workshop, experts presented many nature-based solutions, including floating wetland systems and green roofs for highly urbanized cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. This is part of the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research Funding for the project "Assessing existing practices and developing a roadmap for effective integration of nature-based water treatment in urban areas in Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Vietnam".

At the end of the workshop, Dr. Pham Nguyen Anh Huy - Senior Lecturer in Finance at RMIT University emphasized that a series of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite technology, sensors and blockchain can improve NBS projects, monitoring, reporting and verification processes by reducing costs, improving efficiency and ensuring data integrity.

In addition to hosting national and international conferences, RMIT Vietnam promotes research that has local impacts, applying NBS to solve practical problems. "Effective wastewater management poses a significant challenge, especially in large cities like Hanoi. With the current state of wastewater management and the Government's comprehensive vision, we must have sustainable solutions," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, lecturer in Supply Chain Management and Logistics at RMIT University.

Accordingly, the research team led by her conducted analysis and proposed solutions to wastewater management challenges, mainly in Hanoi. In 2021, wastewater treatment capacity in Hanoi reached 276,000m3 per day, equivalent to only 28.8% of total wastewater.

MSc. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang and RMIT senior lecturer - Dr. Pham Nguyen Anh Huy (from right to left). Photo: RMIT Vietnam

One potential green solution to the problem of wastewater pollution in suburban areas is a decentralized wastewater treatment system, which can minimize the negative impact of untreated wastewater on surface water. For example, wastewater treatment systems work by combining soil, water, plants and the atmosphere.

This is a type of NBS that can be applied to individual households or groups in suburban areas of Hanoi. Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (DWWT) is a method that can operate in harmony with Centralized Wastewater Treatment (CWWT) to increase the number of households with access to clean water and sanitation.

After conducting a cost-benefit analysis, the research team concluded that these solutions could bring social, environmental and economic benefits of more than 200 million USD per year to Hanoi, and at the same time, are consistent with the capital's urban drainage and wastewater treatment system development plan by 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Nhat Le

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