HÀ NỘI — Work on the construction of the Đuống river surface water plant started on Thursday in Phù Đổng Commune in Hà Nội’s Gia Lâm District.

Located on nearly 62 hectares, the plant will be developed in three phases. The first phase, which will cost around VNĐ5 trillion (US$225 million) and have the capacity for 300,000cu.m per day, is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, Hà Nội People’s Committee Chairman Nguyễn Đức Chung said the project would play an important role in providing a sustainable supply of clean water to the capital city.

“Upon completion, the plant will supply clean water to three million people in 168 wards and communes across eight districts in Hà Nội; to residential and industrial zones along Road 179; and the neighbouring provinces of Bắc Ninh and Hưng Yên,” Chung said.

Chung also asked local authorities, Đuống River Surface Water Plant JSC’s project management board, investors and contractors to ensure that the project process, quality, labour and environmental safety are not compromised and that every effort must be made to start the plant’s test runs by the second quarter of 2018.

“This is a key national project. It will meet the city’s demand for clean water and contribute towards speeding up urbanisation in Hà Nội and its neighbouring provinces,” said Đỗ Thị Kim Liên, chairman of Đuống River Surface Water Plant JSC. “The project will help improve the local people’s quality of life by reducing diseases caused by polluted water and environment.”

The plant’s capacity will reach 600,000cu.m per day by 2030 and 900,000cu.m per day by 2050.

Its clean-water piping system is the longest and most intricate in the country, running 76km long with two river-crossing sections over Hồng and Đuống rivers, and various sections running through railways, national and provincial roads.

At the ceremony, the company donated VNĐ12 billion ($526,000) to Gia Lâm District’s Social Welfare Fund for charity constructions for needy people in Phù Đổng and Trung Mầu communes. — VNS