Water: Good servant, bad master

Introduction Cuu Long Delta Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Project Water supply Sanitation Ongoing maintenance   Introduction  The Mekong River flows from its source in Tibet through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia to Vietnam, where it flows into the South China Sea. Its Vietnamese name, Cuu Long (nine dragons) highlights the nature of the river, as in the delta it splits into a number of tributaries linked by canals. This Mekong (Cuu Long) Delta region is known as the 'rice basket' of Vietnam, as its fertile soils grow up to three crops of rice each year. It accounts for 40 per cent of the nation's agricultural production and over 50 per cent of its rice production and exports. The annual flooding brings a rich load of sediment, but in some years the flooding is extensive, causing death and destruction of crops. Despite water being plentiful, it is not suitable for drinking, washing or cleaning, as it is polluted by inadequate waste disposal methods. Groundwater in the delta area is also not reliable, as it is sometimes affected by salt or iron. Photo 1: Thach Thi Kim collects water from a pond at the back of her house. © Will Salter, AusAID The region is densely populated, predominantly along the rivers and canals, and most transport is by boat rather than along the limited road network. The main sources of employment are agriculture, fishing and tourism. Poor communities often live in temporary housing in back alleys and along polluted canals, without access to safe water sources. They are at risk from debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases, such as diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, dengue fever, malaria, worms, skin disease and eye disease. As many of the poor are employed in casual work, time off work because of illness or natural disasters, leads to loss of income and deeper poverty. Cuu Long Delta Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project The Cuu Long Delta Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project is engaging the people and governments of Vietnam and Australia in working together to improve the overall living standards and health for the 500,000 rural poor, through access to improved water supply and sanitation services and establishing sustainable maintenance programs. The project has a major emphasis on achieving the participation of women in all aspects of the project. Water supply Water access for many poor people in the region is through unsafe sources, such as stagnant ponds, open wells and polluted rivers. Families, particularly women, spend large amounts of time and energy collecting water for basic household needs, often paying 3-10 times the local price for small quantities of drinkable water. Piped water is available only a few hours each day. Photo 2: Quach Thoi Dai, 76, empties water in to a cauldron at his home. The cauldron is lined with alum, which allows the sediment to fall to the bottom. The water is then boiled for drinking. © Will Salter/AusAID The project is expanding the water supply systems, increasing access to potable, reliable piped water. It aims to supply safe drinking water to 70-80 per cent of the urban population, 24 hours a day. Poorer households will be able to obtain safe drinking water at an affordable cost close to their homes. This means there will be less water-related disease and improved economic stability. Sanitation Flooding, polluted canals, lack of drainage, untreated industrial waste water, lack of toilets in homes and schools, lack of solid waste collection services, and inadequate waste disposal sites make illness common particularly among the poor. Most waste water is discharged directly into open drains or the river system. Photo 3: Public education is an important to promote careful use of water and maintain a healthy water system. © Jacinta Cubis/ AusAID The project is involving local communities in the design and construction of improved drainage and sanitation services (toilets, drainage and collection of solid waste). Programs to raise awareness are educating the community about safe use of water and improved waste disposal methods. Ongoing maintenance Staff training, purchasing of new tools and equipment, and long-term planning are often limited by lack of money. The project is supplying equipment and is training local people in water and sanitation technology to ensure that the systems can be well maintained after the project is completed. Photo 4: 'Clean running water in my home helps me get my work done faster', said Mrs Lan. She works through the night making steam buns for local restaurants. She worked with other people in her lane to cover the open gutters behind their houses. © AusAID Improved water and sanitation systems are not only improving the health of people in the Cuu Long Delta, but also the economy. Staff, particularly women, have been employed to manage the maintenance and community education programs. A stable water supply is assisting tourism as well as small-scale industries such as gardening, fish farming and the processing of agricultural products.