Polluted Canal Near Industrial Zone Emits Foul Odors, Threatens Groundwater

The Sơn Tịnh canal, a vital waterway that once provided clean water for irrigation and daily life in Quảng Ngãi province, has become a symbol of environmental neglect. Decades of industrial activity in the Tịnh Ấn Tây cluster have transformed the once-clear waters into a black, putrid mess, particularly during the dry season when flow is minimal, allowing sludge to accumulate and odors to intensify.

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Hồi trước nước trong lắm, tắm giặt, bắt cá đều được. Từ khi có nhà máy ở cụm công nghiệp Tịnh Ấn Tây hoạt động nhiều, nước lúc nào cũng đen. Có lúc cá chết nổi trắng

Residents, like 84-year-old Hà Kiến, recall a time when the canal was pristine, supporting aquatic life and serving as a resource for bathing and washing. Now, the water is visibly contaminated, and during periods when the Thạch Nham irrigation system releases water, the canal is temporarily flushed, only for the pollution to return once the flow ceases. This cycle of temporary relief followed by persistent contamination deeply affects the quality of life for those living nearby.

The pollution's impact extends beyond the surface, raising serious concerns about groundwater contamination. With many households relying on wells for drinking water, the proximity of the polluted canal poses a direct threat to public health. Local leaders, such as UBND xã Thọ Phong chairman Trương Công Hòa, have repeatedly reported the issue, calling for decisive action and strict penalties for polluting enterprises.

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Những giếng đào nông bị tác động rất rõ. Người dân lo lắng nhưng không còn nguồn nước nào khác để dùng

While the provincial plan to relocate the Tịnh Ấn Tây industrial cluster offers a long-term solution, it provides little immediate relief for the affected communities. The current situation highlights a common challenge in Vietnam: balancing industrial development with environmental protection. For the residents of Sơn Tịnh, the daily reality is living alongside a "dead canal," a stark reminder of the environmental cost of unchecked industrial growth and the urgent need for effective regulatory oversight and enforcement.

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Cần có sự vào cuộc kiểm tra, xử lý dứt điểm tại nguồn. Những đơn vị xả thải không đảm bảo phải bị xử phạt nghiêm