100% of water sample in My Dinh II Water Supply Station contains carcinogen

On July 7, the Department of Health of Hanoi announced that 100% of water samples taken at My Dinh II Water Supply Station have arsenic levels exceeding the permitted level. The Health Department also requested the water supply station to be closed to overcome the situation.

Previously, on 2 days 2 and 5.7, the Center for Preventive Medicine (Hanoi Health Department) and National Institute for Food Hygiene and Food Testing conducted 14 water samples (including raw water, treated water at the station , water taken from households) to test the arsenic content.

To date, of the 13 samples tested, all 13 samples had a high level of arsenic levels. According to the National Technical Regulation on drinking water quality QCVN 01: 2009/BYT issued by the Ministry of Health in 2009, limiting the content of arsenic in the country is only 0.01 mg/l, 100% of this water sample is not safe in term arsenic content.

Specifically, arsenic levels ranged from 0.018mg/l to 0.079mg/l. As such, the water samples at My Dinh II Water Station have arsenic levels 2 – 8 times.

Facing this situation, the Hanoi Department of Health requested the Department of Construction to request HUDS to stop the water supply of My Dinh II Water Supply Station. My Dinh II water supply station is only allowed to operate when the quality of water supply is in accordance with regulations. During the downtime, HUDS is responsible for ensuring adequate water supply for the people.

Previously, from 27-30/6 Ministry of Health has organized inspection and supervision of water quality in 16 water plants and 07 water supply stations in Hanoi, Nam Do water supply station; The quality of water supplied after the meter in some households in 06 urban districts with a total sample of 196 samples (Of which 30 samples taken at factories, water supply and 166 samples collected in households). Results of water samples showed that some samples did not meet QCVN 01: 2009/BYT standards.

Results of the tests at 16 water plants and 07 water supply stations rated 107 indicators (according to QCVN 01/2009) 05/107 indicators not reached: Arsenic criteria have 1/20 water supply facilities are water supply stations My Dinh II has a higher concentration than 1.82 times allowed threshold (actual test 0.0182 mg/L); The residual chlorine (20/20 water supply facilities are higher than the allowable limit and 150/155 samples are at the household level below the permitted level) (ranging from 0.02 to 1.33 mg/L) The Ammonium (from 0.02 to 7.89 mg/L) (with 7/20 water supply and 15/155 household and pecmanganate (2.56 – 9.60 mg/L)) 12/20 samples in water supply and 40/155 samples in households.) These two indicators were not met in the Hoang Mai area; Manganese (0.361 mg/L) (with 1/20 higher than the allowable water level, at Shanxi Water Plant, Facility 1).

Test results in Nam Do urban area: Water supply from clean water supplying company to the reservoir of the urban area: 02 indicators of excess chlorine and pecmanganate not reaching QCVN 01: 2009/BYT. Water from the tank to the households: At the roof tanks, the presence of microorganisms (coliform and coliform resistant to heat) is low (less than 50CFU/100ml) and does not meet nitrite criteria. In households, 4/15 water samples did not meet nitrite standards and 15/15 did not meet pecmanganate and excess chlorine criteria.

According to the Ministry of Health, long-term using of arsenic contaminated water can cause many illnesses, including thickening of the skin, gastrointestinal disturbances, cirrhosis, hypertension, etc. Arsenic is one of the toxic that might cause cancer.