Hà Nội has advised residents in several districts not to use tap water sourced from the Đà River for cooking and drinking after high levels of styrene were discovered. — Photo nld.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội has advised residents in several districts not to use tap water sourced from the Đà River for cooking and drinking after high levels of styrene were discovered. The districts include Thanh Xuân, Hà Đông and a part of Nam Từ Liêm, Hoàng Mai, Cầu Giấy,Thanh Trì, Hoài Đức, Thanh Oai, Đan Phượng and Ứng Hòa. 
The warning was made by Lê Văn Dục, director Hà Nội’s Department of Construction, at a press conference held on Tuesday.
People could continue to use the water for washing clothes and bathing, he said.
The municipal People’s Committee has asked the Hà Nội Clean Water Company to provide fresh water for affected residents.
To ensure the safety of water from the Đà River, the city has asked the Sông Đà Water Investment JSC to immediately tackle pollution on the upstream section in Hoà Bình Province’s Kỳ Son District, as well as Đầm Bài Lake.
The company was also instructed to flush the system it uses, including tanks and distribution pipelines, and review its operations and water quality control equipment, and replace where necessary.
Surveillance cameras to monitor possible incidents were also needed.
The People’s Committee has authorised the Department of Construction to co-ordinate with the Department of Health and local authorities to monitor the work. A plan should also be put in place to monitor water from other sources, such as the Đuống River.
Last Thursday, residents in some districts west of Ha Noi detected an unpleasant smell coming from their tap water. Many of them have stopped using tap water and are buying bottled water instead.
Hà Nội's Health Department subsequently took water samples for testing. The test results showed the levels of styrene in the water were higher than normal, meaning it was unsafe, said Hoàng Đức Hạnh, deputy head of the department.
However, it was not clear how styrene affected people’s health, he said.
The reason for the smell was caused by a significant amount of used oil illegally dumped into an upstream section of the Đà River in Phú Minh Commune, Kỳ Sơn District. It spread to the stream and Đầm Bài Lake, which supply water for the company. — VNS