Report: Safe water system at Loc Thuy

Design and construction of a water system with a water storage tank with a capacity of 35 m3, pump installation, water treatment, 21,680 m of water transmission and distribution pipelines, electrical and control systems.

¥ Assessment of the needs of local residents for safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene in the project area.
¥ Assessment of the willingness and ability of beneficiaries to pay for both initial investment costs for house connections and monthly consumption-based water tariffs; and, contribution of labor to the construction for digging and backfilling pipeline trenches.
¥ Identification of the highest capacity, best quality and most reliable supply of clean water in the area (water will be taken from the Kien Giang River).
¥ Water quality testing of the Kien Giang River and certification of the source as fit for drinking before commencement of design and construction.
¥ Holding consultation meetings with potential beneficiary groups and the local authorities in order to allow everyone to voice their concerns and opinions about the proposed project as well as to share local knowledge and experience about hygiene and clean water usage.
¥ The following standard activities will be carried out: design and construction of the water storage tank(s), water tower, river water intake, intake pipe, two pumps, electrical and control systems, water treatment system (as determined by the water quality test results), and the water transmission and distribution systems (about 21,680 m). A water production meter will be installed on the outlet to the main distribution line to help monitor water production and downstream water losses.
¥ Technical and management skills training of Water Managers and the Project Management Board to make sure the proper system maintenance will be undertaken when the EMW involvement ceases.
¥ Carry out a hygiene and sanitation behavioral change program to maximize the community health benefits of the new water supply system. The EMW Hygiene and Sanitation Behavioral Change (HSBC) program will raise awareness, provide training and provide financial incentives to help families build latrines and carry out social marketing activities to encourage people to adopt more effective hygiene and sanitation behaviors.

The Loc Thuy population obtains drinking and washing water from drilled and dug wells. Water from the wells has high sediment levels. Some high income households are able to purchase bottled drinking water at a cost of 20,000 VND (about $US1.10) for 20 litres. However, poorer residents are limited to using polluted well water for their daily activities. According to need assessment results, there is a critical need for access to clean water for the residents in this area.
About 70% of households have sanitary latrines (septic and semi-septic systems). The practice of washing hands with soak hasn't been adopted by local residents. According to the statistics reported by Preventive Medicine Center, there is an average of 322 persons suffered from trachoma, 136 suffer from diarrhea, and child malnutrition accounts for 25.2% every year.