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These are the key points of discussion at a workshop that launched the independent study by the World Bank, titled “Towards a safe, clean, and resilient water system.”
The workshop, co-hosted in Hanoi on May 30 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the World Bank in Vietnam, saw the participation of many stakeholders as well as international and domestic experts.
The rapid increase in water demand will lead to water stress to 11 out of 16 river basins in Vietnam by 2030 during the dry season. In addition, there is growing competition among and demand from multiple sectors for water, against the backdrop of worsening water quality. Climate change exacerbates water challenges, posing an additional need to manage water effectively.
At the workshop, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha stressed the challenges that Vietnam is facing in water management.
“Pressures from population growth, economic growth and increasing water demand have put water resources at risk of depletion. These pressures will result in unsustainable development unless water resources are managed in a uniform and coordinated way and are shared and used reasonably and effectively,” he said.
The study discusses in-depth how Vietnam can manage its water resources in a sustainable way. The study suggests policy actions and the roles the public and private sectors can play for effective and sustainable water management.
“Unless decisive steps are taken, water, which has been the driving force behind Vietnam’s rapid growth, will become a brake for development,” said WB Country Director for Vietnam Ousmane Dione. “Early action will ensure that water remains a key part of Vietnam’s growing prosperity.”
The study recommends improvements in governance, management and financing of water resources, including strengthening institutions for the development and enforcement of regulations. It also advocates an integrated approach toward water management at the basin level and creating incentives to pollute less and use water more efficiently.
Further, disaster response and resilience against escalating floods, the acceleration of riverine and coastal erosion, sea level rises and land subsidence need to be improved.
In addition, improving the quality of public spending and encouraging private finance is critical to broaden the funding sources for improvements in water management.
The study identifies water pollution as the greatest threat that could cost Vietnam up to 3.5% of its gross domestic product annually by 2035.
Urban development, the discharge of untreated industrial wastewater and the use of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides are placing unrelenting stress on water bodies.
Data from the Ministry of Construction showed that only 46% of urban households have connections to the drainage system and 12.5% of domestic wastewater is being treated. The data does not consider the untreated wastewater from industrial facilities outside industrial zones. These issues are compromising the water quality and related ecosystems.
“This report sends a clear message that sustained economic growth in Vietnam will not be possible without strong action to safeguard water resources,” said Jennifer Sara, senior director of the World Bank’s Water Global Practice.
She added that if good decisions are made now, water systems can be strengthened to withstand shocks, such as climate change, and ensure current and future generations reap the benefits of a strong water supply.
“The WB’s water team stands ready to work with the Government of Vietnam to sustain resources, deliver services and build resilience,” she said.
The study suggests strengthening and enforcing regulations to create incentives to improve water quality alongside the use of cost-effective solutions to control pollution.
It also sheds light on the low productivity of water use, particularly in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, which account for 92% of Vietnam’s water usage.
There are opportunities to use water more productively, such as switching to crops and irrigation systems that yield “more income per drop” while saving water, reducing water usage through the use of innovative technology and having appropriate tariff systems in place to create incentives for efficient and productive use of water.
The bank stated that it appreciates its partnership with the Government on water management. In the coming period, it will work closely with stakeholders in the country to provide assistance in adopting the recommendations of the study as appropriate to promote effective and sustainable management and use of water resources against the backdrop of climate change.