Along with the fast-paced process of modern industrialization, Vietnam produces hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of industrial waste water each day. The country is seeking a solution to deal with this, through a cooperative research project called AKIZ (A-KÍT) between Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Germany’s Ministry of Education and Science.
"The program will release a guide-book to help local people implement and manage modern waste treatment methods, and models for dealing with toxic waste." - Nguyen Van Long, Program Coordinator, AKIZ Project.
Of the more than 200 industrial zones operating nationwide, only 86% of businesses have central systems for waste water treatment. Other firms either do not have qualified waste treatment systems or do not have any facilities at all.
"If we do not address this issue, untreated waste water will pollute natural water resources, like rivers. It will impact production activities and people’s livelihoods." - Vo Thanh Hung, Director, Board of Management, Can Tho Production and Industrial Zones.
According to experts, industrial waste water carries potentially harmful toxic components. Effective management of waste water requires comprehensive solutions and investment to improve facilities and enhance monitoring capacity.
"We must adopt comprehensive solutions among enterprises and managers of industrial zones to ensure the operation of waste treatment systems." - Nguyen Tuan Phong, Director, Technology Research and Application Center, Tien Giang Province.
"Modern technology should be applied to improve waste treatment in order to meet environmental protection standards and create suitable conditions for production." - Vu Minh Hai, Can Tho Department of Science and Technology.
In the coming time, projects like AKIZ are expected to support localities in creating a legal framework and management methods to better monitor waste water treatment in industrial zones.
