The Yên Xá Wastewater Treatment System under construction in June 2024. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội's authorities have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister, requesting approval for an emergency water replenishment project to address the severe pollution in Tô Lịch River.

The project, estimated to cost approximately VNĐ550 billion (US$22 million), aims to redirect water from the Red River to Tô Lịch.

Tô Lịch River, a key waterway in the capital, has been plagued by heavy pollution for years, severely impacting urban aesthetics and public health for those living along its banks.

Efforts to address the issue include the phased implementation of drainage projects and the Yên Xá Wastewater Treatment System, which went into operation in December 2024.

However, these initiatives have inadvertently led to challenges: once wastewater sources are diverted to treatment facilities, the river may dry up, especially during the dry season.

The city warns that without immediate action, Tô Lịch will be left with exposed sediment, exacerbating pollution and degrading urban landscapes.

The proposed project can address this issue by quickly supplying water to Tô Lịch. This effort is deemed a critical and time-sensitive measure to restore the river’s flow and improve the environment.

While Hà Nội has not yet released specific details about how water will be transferred to Tô Lịch, experts have suggested a feasible approach.

According to the experts, the plan may involve installing a pumping station along the Red River to channel water through pipelines to Tô Lịch.

Water will pass through concrete-reinforced conduits under the city’s dike system. A settling basin at the river’s head may likely be built to reduce the sediment load before water enters the polluted river.

The city has committed to completing the project before September 2025. Once operational, the system will help mitigate environmental hazards, maintain the river's flow and contribute to the city’s broader urban renewal efforts.

Stretching 13.4 km, Tô Lịch River plays a vital role in Hà Nội’s drainage system. It connects to two major outflows: one to the Nhuệ River via the Thanh Liệt Dam and another to the Red River through the Kim Ngưu River and Yên Sở Pumping Station. — VNS