Description
Half of the land area of Tien Giang Province in Vietnam is exposed to annual floods and the other half to saline intrusion. Traditional sources of domestic water - rivers, canals and ponds - are naturally polluted by alluvium acidity and salinity, and also by human/animal excreta and other wastes.
Water related diseases have been very serious in the Province. Tien Giang rural residents were inspired to develop their own water sources when they saw how UNICEF supported the drilling of wells to supply fresh and clean water to communities. They followed this example and dug individual wells, but without any resources planning.
The first real impact was disastrous. The water quality from the shallow wells was so bad that the water was undrinkable. The wells were abandoned and their assets lost.
A more serious impact was encountered when these abandoned wells were not closed properly, resulting in aquifer deterioration that affected a widespread area. The limited national and provincial budgets prevented rehabilitation and support to these areas.
The formulation of the National RWSS Strategy (in 1998) provided a good opportunity for the Province to effect changes. Within the wider context of all economic activities, the affected communities were made aware of methods and approaches in harvesting water and well drilling that are cost effective and sustainable in their development.
After three years, Tien Giang Province manages both surface and groundwater resources, ensuring water supply for 50% of rural population (nationwide proportion access to potable water is about 35%). The Province and the communities worked through self-help, without any external support.
Key components of the strategy included:
- A participatory approach, throughout project planning and implementation,
- Technical support from the provincial government,
- Appropriate financial policies for poor and difficult areas,
- Establishment of water user groups, with the legal entity to hold, manage and operate facilities,
- Training and educating for water user groups so that they have enough ability to make plans, choose technology, manage the water resources and the environment.
Lessons learned
RWSS is considered as a useful point of departure for poverty elimination and rural development, and achievements from RWSS help to motivate other social efforts.
Information, education and communication (IEC) activities are very important to all levels including communities, local authorities, technical and credit agencies.
Water resources for RWSS are of small quantity and dispersed in nature, and mainly related to groundwater, the monitoring of which is still very weak. Therefore this development must be integrated within integrated regional and basin planning, thus avoiding negative impacts to water resources and the environment.
Importance of the case for IWRM
The case shows how good planning leads to efficient use of water resources, and the integrated approach has led to a harmonious and equitable share of economic and social benefits among communities: all people have clean water for use and improved their life quality by their own contribution.
The management of sanitation, domestic waste and rural waste production hascontributed to good water quality and preservation of eco-systems.
Photo credit: Stephan Ridgway