Former general director and legal representative of the Đà River Water Investment JSC Nguyễn Văn Tốn makes a speech at the conference on October 15. — Photo news.zing.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Board of Directors of the Sông Đà Clean Water Corporation has decided to dismiss the general director and legal representative of the Sông Đà Water Investment JSC Nguyễn Văn Tốn after a recent polluted water scandal that led to a severe shortage of clean water for more than 250,000 households in the city.

The corporation also announced that Nguyễn Xuân Quý will hold the position as the company’s general director and legal representative. Quý is 46 years-old and working as a construction engineer in Hà Nội.

The decision was signed on Monday.

Tốn would be required to hand over all work, files and documents related to the position to the new general director.

Previously, Tốn was criticised for his comments on the water crisis.

At the press conference on October 15, Tốn affirmed the quality of water was safe and the smell was caused by chloride, one of the most popular chemicals used to disinfect water, although the city’s People’s Committee warned that the water was contaminated and unsafe for human consumption.

The worst water crisis Hà Nội has seen in decades began on October 10 when several households using tap water supplied by the Đà River water plant reported a strange smell like melted plastic or oil in the water.

Tests have found that the water, contaminated by used oil, contained high levels of styrene, a substance that is probably carcinogenic. 

On October 16, police in northern Hoà Bình Province started investigation on the illegal dumping of used oil into the environment. Two suspects, including Nguyễn Chương Đại and Hoàng Văn Thám, have been detained.

On October 20, Lý Đình Vũ gave himself up to police. The oil was taken from Thanh Hà Ceramics Company in northern Phú Thọ Province. The case is under further investigation. — VNS