Environmental issues have brought many challenges for Vietnam, especially the serious degradation of water environment, which is followed by diseases in many towns and cities in Vietnam causing long-term harmful effects on citizens’ health. Aiming at the most essential demand of the community, “use of clean water”, in 2005, Holland Water Supply Company (Howaco) was founded and brought in use Holland groundwater treatment technology – the highest in Europe.
After nearly 5 years of operation, Howaco has succeeded in applying Holland technology to drinking water treatment projects in Vietnam. Water Supply Holland Co. Ltd. located at Truong Binh Commune, Can Giuoc District, Long An Province, locating alongside National Highway 50 and 25km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. This area is subject to bad quality groundwater and saline surface water resulting in a shortage of drinking water. We, therefore, with support from the local authorities have decided to invest in a groundwater treatment plant obtaining Holland technology which is the best in Europe, so water is drinkable from the tap. And we achieved certain success.
Despite of being newly established, the company has been successful in many water supply projects for water supply companies, enterprises and industrial zones (consultancy, design and construction) thanks to skillful and experienced technical staff trained by Dutch experts.
We are proud to apply Dutch ground and surface water treatment technology in Vietnam, which has resulted in a high quality product with reasonable price. We will appreciate cooperation from enterprises to bring this technology to Vietnam. Many projects have been carried out in cities and towns, companies, industrial zones and residential areas.
Implementation of water projects is just a part of Howaco’s activities. The company also designs, consults and transfers technology to local projects. Howaco is currently consulting and supervising Water for Life projects for urban poor in Tho Quang Ward and Khue My Ward – Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang City. These projects are funded by the consumers of two big Dutch water supply companies, Vitens and Evides. Howaco advises two Public Private Partnership at Saigon Water Corporation in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang Water Supply Company in Danang city. The PPP’s are funded by the Royal Dutch Embassy and Vitens-Evides International BV.
The most distinct characteristic of the so-called Holland groundwater treatment technology compared to some technologies in Vietnam is maximum limitation of chemical usage in water treatment process. In addition, it is cheap, sustainable and simple to operate. Mr. Ngo Xuan Truong, Director of Howaco said: “with this technology, we only use natural materials, which are common in Vietnam, such as limestone and shell. Specifically, water from raw water pumping station goes to the pH correction system which contains limestone and shells. With proper conditions, CaCO3 will react with CO2 to create HCO3-. Therefore, the pH level will be increased. This method can increase pH level to 6.5 -7.5 stably which is in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s regulation”.
Howaco is consulting and supervising a surface water treatment plant called Perfector-R, with a capacity of 5000 cubic metres a day in Cao Lanh city, Dong Thap province. Perfector-R is came from a 3-year research of the Water Fund Holland and PWN Water Supply Company - Noord Holland. Perfector-R is the accumulation of leading experts’ experience in Holland water treatment for 25 years of operation all over the world. In comparison with other water treatment plants the investment cost and Operation & Maintenant cost of the Perfector-R are lower, while the drinking water quality is the same or even better. The design of the Perfector-R is modular based, consisting of an intake on floating pontoons, a process unit, a facility building, reservoirs, and a distribution pumping station. All can be built locally.
Nowadays, the living standard in Vietnam is increasing year by year, followed by an increasing demand of clean water. It is for sure. “Over-exploitation of groundwater is effecting the ecosystem in Vietnam. A high %age of drain-water in Vietnam is causing hidden risks of water shortage in the future. The illegal built wells are out of control. Water policy and planning in Vietnam should be continued to be strengthened by improving the public awareness as well as management of underground exploitation and better protecting existing ground water reserves. It needs time.” added by Ngo Xuan Truong.
The achieved result is an incentive for Howaco to expand its activities. Today, Howaco is building the second treatment plant in Can Giuoc with a capacity of 1500 cubic meters of water per day. This capacity can be upgraded to 3000 cubic metres in a couple of years.
Le Phuong
Vietnamese
