A significant freshwater reservoir project in Ca Mau province, designed to serve 113,000 residents, remains unused two years after its completion. The 102-hectare facility, initiated in 1/2022, is part of Subproject 8 under the Integrated Climate Resilient and Sustainable Livelihoods Project for the Mekong Delta. It utilized an ODA loan from the World Bank and counterpart funds from the province. After four adjustments, the total investment reached approximately 248 billion dong.

The core infrastructure was completed and accepted in 5/2024. Despite the reservoir now holding water as designed, it cannot connect to the domestic water supply system because the crucial treatment plant and distribution pipelines are yet to be built.

The freshwater reservoir in Khanh An commune. Photo: Chuc Ly

The reservoir's primary purpose is to provide domestic water for about 113,000 people in the former U Minh area and neighboring regions. It also stores water for agricultural production and supports forest fire prevention and fighting during the dry season.

The lake is approximately 6 meters deep from the natural ground level, with a surface area exceeding 60 hectares. A dike system spanning over 4 kilometers encircles it. The lake banks are reinforced with rock and gabions to prevent erosion. An initial 3-meter-wide concrete road around the lake was later expanded to 5 meters, facilitating management, operation, and serving as an access route for the U Minh Ha forest fire prevention and fighting forces.

After a period of disuse, some components of the reservoir are showing signs of deterioration. Over three kilometers of safety railings exhibit rust. Aquatic plants and vines have grown in the crevices of the 3-meter-wide concrete tile lining designed to prevent erosion on the lake's slopes. Tall reeds around the dike and internal concrete road also obstruct views of the lake surface.

The concrete road around the lake was upgraded from 3 to 5 meters.

Grass and reeds grow taller than a person on the dike and internal road area.

Protective railings show signs of rust.

Pham Van Muoi, Deputy Director of Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that the project's main goal is to store freshwater during the rainy season to supply domestic water, reduce groundwater exploitation, and help combat land subsidence. To fully utilize its capacity, the reservoir requires a water treatment plant and a pipeline system. Since these components have not been invested in, the water in the reservoir cannot yet be treated and supplied to residents.

To complete the water supply chain, Ca Mau province has launched a project for a surface water treatment plant at the freshwater reservoir and associated pipelines, with a total capital exceeding 192 billion dong.

The project will have a capacity of 12,000 cubic meters per day. It includes: a raw water pumping station, a biological treatment pond system, mixing, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration tanks, a clean water storage tank, a chemical house, an operations building, various pumping stations, sludge sedimentation tanks, and a system of pipelines, electricity, roads, fences, and auxiliary facilities.

The plant aims to integrate with the reservoir to provide domestic water to residents of Khanh An commune, Ho Thi Ky commune, An Xuyen ward, the Ca Mau Gas-Power-Fertilizer Complex, and surrounding areas. Upon completion, treated water will be sold to domestic and industrial users in the locality and other areas as demand increases.

After a period of investment solicitation, Dong Bang Water and Environment Joint Stock Company was selected to implement the project. The company committed to reducing the standard profit margin by 21% when proposing prices, based on the price framework regulated by the Ministry of Finance and the prices approved by the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has directed the Department of Agriculture and Environment to promptly negotiate and finalize the contract with the investor as per regulations. The project for the plant and pipeline system is scheduled for completion within 18 months from the date the investor receives the approval decision or signs the project implementation contract.

Ca Mau does not receive freshwater supplementation from the Mekong River system. During the dry season, many areas face domestic water shortages and rely on groundwater exploitation, while land subsidence remains a local concern. Once the treatment plant and pipeline system are finished, the water stored in the reservoir can be treated and integrated into the water supply network, allowing the project to achieve its full objectives.