Ho Chi Minh City inaugurates Japan-funded wastewater treatment plant

The wastewater treatment plant, situated in Binh Chanh District, has significantly increased its capacity to 469,000 cubic meters per day, tripling from its original capacity of 141,000 cubic meters.

The expansion is part of the second phase of the city's water environment improvement project, which aims to enhance wastewater collection and treatment across a 2,500-hectare area, serving approximately 1.8 million residents.

With a total investment of VND 11.3 trillion (about $470 million), of which 87 per cent is funded through Japanese ODA, the project includes the construction of 51 kilometers of sewage pipelines, three stormwater pumping stations, and the reinforcement of canal embankments over 6.4 kilometers.

The Binh Hung wastewater treatment plant employs advanced biological treatment processes that eliminate the need for chemicals, ensuring efficient and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment.

This expansion is expected to significantly alleviate flooding in the southern areas of the city and reduce water pollution in local waterways, particularly within the Tau Hu - Ben Nghe - Doi - Te canal basin, which covers a total area of around 5,000 hectares, benefiting a population of about 3.6 million people.

Sugano Yuichi, chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), emphasized that drainage remains a priority sector in JICA's ODA cooperation with Vietnam. Its ongoing and future projects focus on high-quality infrastructure, human resource development, healthcare, and climate change adaptation.

In addition to Binh Hung, several other major wastewater treatment projects are underway across Vietnam.

The Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe wastewater treatment plant in Ho Chi Minh City, expected to be Southeast Asia's largest upon completion in 2025, will have a capacity of 480,000 cubic meters per day.

The Tham Luong - Ben Cat plant, also in Ho Chi Minh City, is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2024 with a capacity of 131,000 cubic meters per day.

Meanwhile, the Yen Xa plant in Hanoi, with a planned capacity of 270,000 cubic meters per day, has faced delays and is yet to be completed after seven years of construction.

Additionally, Danang is advancing its green city initiative with key wastewater treatment projects, including the Phu Loc and Hoa Xuan plants, aimed at improving the city’s water environment.