Investigating Sources of Surface Water Pollution in Dau Sau Canal, Can Tho City, Vietnam

Abstract

Can Tho city is an economic, cultural and educational center of the
Mekong Delta, along with the rapid industrialization and
modernization. This can have a negative impact on the environment
because of the rapid increase in waste and wastewater. This study
aims to investigate the source of surface water pollution in Dau Sau
canal, An Binh ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city through
interviewing 30 households and measuring the indicators of pH,
electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water
environment. The study results showed that pH and EC were in the
allowable threshold. DO was lower than the permitted threshold of
QCVN 08: 2015/BTNMT, column A1 at all three sampling locations.
This indicates that the water environment had signs of organic
pollution. The sources of waste generation into the water environment
are mainly waste, wastewater from residential areas (51%), in
addition to other causes such as waste, wastewater from production
and trading activities (27%), waste and wastewater from markets
(22%). The current situation of domestic waste management and the
people's awareness of environmental protection is not good due to the
situation of indiscriminate rubbish in the canals. Wastewater from
households using stilt houses is directly discharged to the canal. The
results of the current study suggested that there is need to construct
waste (solid waste and wastewater) collection and treatment systems
in the study area to solve the environmental concerns. Raising
community awareness of the residents in the protection of surface
water is essential. Besides, the law enforcement in environmental
protection should also be given proper attention.