10:32 10/01/2023

First water resources planning scheme approved

Đỗ Phong

Vietnam is expected to raise its national water security index to be among countries that effectively ensure water security.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has announced a water resources planning scheme for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050.

This is the first national planning scheme in the water resources sector and aims to achieve targets in the 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy.

By 2025, the planning targets increasing the rate of daily clean water use to 95-100 per cent of the urban population and 65 per cent of rural residents.

Some 90 per cent of water exploitation activities will be brought under control, while the rate of water losses in supply activities will be reduced to 10 per cent.

It also prioritizes settling drought and water shortages in the dry season across river basins and areas with difficult access to sources, particularly the south-central region, the central highlands, the Mekong Delta, and remote and island areas.

By 2050, Vietnam is expected to raise its national water security index to be among countries that effectively ensure water security. It will work towards being proactive in water resources in all situations, forecasting and regulating water levels, preventing floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion, pollution, degradation, and water depletion, and responding to climate change.