Roundtable on Feasibility Evaluation of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Options in Vietnam

On 10 April, 2012, WMP took part in the first Roundtable between the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the Ministry of Construction (MOC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on the topic of Decentralized Wastewater treatment (DWWT) in Vietnam. The Roundtable was initiated by the MOC and MOST and took place at the Headquarter of MOST with the objective to initiate discussion on current situation and potential for application of decentralized wastewater
treatment in Vietnam as well as strengthen the cooperation and coordination among three ministries and other partners in this field.

More than 20 representatives from the three above-mentioned ministries and their belonging departments, Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi National University, German International Cooperation, South Korea Environmental Agency participated in this Roundtable.

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (DWWT) was seen by three ministries as an appropriate option for Vietnam in the current situation that the country cannot afford costly centralized wastewater treatment plants in all locations that keep developing and changing day by day. In fact, DWWT presents a large number of advantages
such as low investment cost, less construction time, minimal interference in the existing infrastructure, simple and reduced operation and maintenance cost, employment of local work force, enhancement of community participation…

All the participants shared their views and experiences, discussed and reached consensus on high potential and appropriateness of DWWT approach in Vietnam. In the meantime, it is suggested that DWWT should be addressed in the urban sewerage and drainage planning or urban flood control planning. Based on practical experiences gained through the pilot schemes on DWWTT in the North, Center and South of Vietnam, WMP recommended that there should be roadmap for adaption of standards and norms for wastewater discharges. From state management perspective, the standards should be balanced so that on the one hand, they ensure environmental sanitation and on the other hand, they encourage sanitation initiatives and efforts.

In the context that MOC was assigned by the Government of Vietnam to review and amend the Decree 88/2007/ND-CP on drainage and sewerage and urban areas and industrial zones, it is excellent opportunity to incorporate principal DWW-related issues in this important legal document. The Roundtable is a meaningful and long time-expected event. It is a start of other meetings in the time to come and will help enhancing coordination among the three key ministries in wastewater management.