Vietnam Ministry of Construction proposes new water supply and drainage law

The Ministry of Construction has proposed the development of a new Law on Water Supply and Drainage in Vietnam. The initiative aims to create a unified legal framework to improve service quality, increase transparency, and encourage socialized investment in the sector.

Key objectives include raising the rate of clean water usage to over 90% by 2030 and ensuring that at least 40% of urban wastewater is treated by 2035. Currently, the country operates 83 urban wastewater treatment plants with a total capacity of 2.06 million cubic meters per day, though many operate at only 60-70% capacity due to high operating costs and insufficient revenue.

Addressing these issues is intended to mitigate urban flooding, reduce environmental pollution, and manage the challenges posed by climate change and rising sea levels.