Residents accuse multiple businesses of polluting Hau Cai Thia canal

The tranquil waters of the Hau Cai Thia canal in An Giang province have become a source of distress for local residents, who are raising alarms about severe environmental pollution. For years, the canal, a vital waterway for the community, has been choked by wastewater, turning what should be a life-giving resource into a noxious nuisance. The situation has become so dire that it is directly impacting the agricultural backbone of the region – rice cultivation.

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The polluted water flowing into the fields means the rice can no longer achieve the same yield as before. The rice is lush green but has no grains, or the grains are empty.

Residents like Ms. Thi Chan Minh describe how the polluted water is rendering their rice paddies unproductive. Crops that should be thriving are failing to yield, with grains often underdeveloped or empty. This agricultural blight, coupled with the foul odors emanating from the canal, has created a palpable sense of frustration and desperation among the populace. They implore authorities to implement lasting solutions, weary of the recurring "back to square one" cycle of environmental neglect.

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Running past is unbearable, the smell is very strong. People hope that functional agencies will have a definitive solution, because the current situation is very difficult to live in.

Local authorities, represented by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Luan, the Chairman of Binh An Commune People's Committee, concede that the pollution problem is chronic and widespread, stemming from the operations of an estimated 400-500 seafood processing enterprises. However, the path to remediation is fraught with challenges. The commune lacks the necessary specialized equipment to conduct timely water quality analysis, a crucial step for legal enforcement. Samples must be sent to provincial labs, causing significant delays. Furthermore, encroachment on the canal, which has narrowed its width considerably, exacerbates the problem by hindering water flow and drainage. While the commune pledges a more determined approach, including increased inspections and collaboration with provincial environmental police, the scale of the problem demands more robust support and a commitment to long-term, decisive action.

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The commune has built a plan to inspect and handle violations, assigning the police force to coordinate with relevant departments to implement it. However, handling faces many difficulties due to lack of specialized equipment and complex inspection procedures.