Workers from the Cần Giờ Clean Water Supply Company install smart water meters in Tam Thôn Hiệp Commune, Cần Giờ District. — Photo nhandan.vn

HCM CITY — After its formation 19 years ago, HCM City's water supply system has increased in size by 500 per cent, reaching nearly 11,000km.

Nearly 1.6 million water meters have been installed in the city so far.

With a goal of bringing clean water to every household, the Sài Gòn Water Corporation (Sawaco) is making a new effort to bring water to the farthest place in the city – Cần Giờ District.

As a remote district, Cần Giờ District has limited traffic, a large area, low population density and many rivers and canals.

Sawaco and local authorities have been trying to gradually complete the water network and modernise clean water supply technology in recent years.

In April last year, the unit finished taking water to more than 1,600 households in Lý Nhơn Commune.

Last month, the Cần Giờ Water Supply Enterprise installed about 300 water meters in Tam Thôn Hiệp Commune, increasing the number of newly installed meters in the commune to 400.

The work helped increase water pressure for most households, which are using tap water from small water businesses.

The Cần Giờ Water Supply Enterprise said that clean water projects Sawaco has invested into Cần Giờ District have contributed significantly to local socio-economic development and tourism.

Clean tap water improves people's lives, especially during stormy seasons, and ensures social security.

In addition, the projects have helped the city save more than VNĐ50 billion (US$1.9 million) per year by reducing the need for the city to transport clean water by waterway, as it used to do.

Three out of the seven communes in Cần Giờ District -- Tam Thôn Hiệp, An Thới Đông and Lý Nhơn -- now have a clean water system.

The system also serves some parts of the remaining communes.

Sawaco leaders said that the corporation plans to further extend the clean water system in Cần Giờ District next year.

Under the plan, the top priority task is to build additional pipes across the Soài Rạp and Tắc Sông Chà rivers, and build more tanks at pumping stations to expand capacity.

As of last month, Sawaco had provided clean water to 110,430 households in Hóc Môn District in the north of the city.

The corporation is implementing 14 projects for a water supply roadmap in the district over the next year, with a total investment of about VNĐ1.2 billion ($47,200).

To date, Sawaco has carried out four projects that are 70 per cent finished. The corporation expects to complete them by the end of this month.

The remaining projects will be completed by the end of this year.

A spokesperson from the Sài Gòn Groundwater One Member Co. Ltd., which supplies water for Hóc Môn District, said that the company worked with local authorities to install water meters quickly and ensure legitimate needs are met for the people. — VNS