Technical assistance for decentralized
wastewater treatment and development
orientation in Vietnam
MSc. Vu Ngoc Tinh
Director of Center for Environmental Consultancy and Technology
VIETNAM ENVIRONMENT ADMINISTRATION

Hanoi, 24/ 09/ 2019

CONTENT
Overview of the situation of domestic wastewater treatment in Vietnam
Advantages and limitations of decentralized wastewater treatment inVietnam
Objects of the application of decentralized wastewater treatment solutions
in Vietnam
Criteria for selecting technology to apply decentralized wastewater
treatment in Vietnam
Technologies applied to implement decentralized wastewater
treatment
Some recommendations of CECT to develop decentralized wastewater
treatment in Vietnam
CECT's support in developing decentralized wastewater treatment in Vietnam

Over

theVietnam'sachieved

pastyears,

economyhasmanyachievements,

importantsurpassed

thepoverty line and is in the periodof growth and development.
However, due to the negative
sideoftheENVIRONMENTAL

development,
POLLUTION

especially WATER POLLUTION in
recent years has also increased.

ENVIRONMENTAL

One of the main causes ofWATER POLLUTION in Vietnam
today is the issue of DOMESTICWASTEWATER (DWW).

EconomicgrowthIn big cities: special andDWW

grade-I urban areas, the rate ofUrban WW

Rural WW

(Estimate 7,12mil m3)(Estimate 6,2 milm3 )Approximately 30% of
the total wastewater
discharged directly intorivers, streams andlakes

wastewater treated is higher thanthat of small and medium-sized
cities and rural areas but still at alow level that cannot meet theOccupying a large
proportion but mostare not treatedcurrent rate of urbanization
According to a report of theMONRE as of 2018, only 20.62%At present, in urban
areas of type III orhigher, only 39% of thecentralized wastewater
treatment plans areinstalled (43 WWTPs)

Total designed
capacity of 926,000
m3/day (meeting13% of demand)

Scattered on a large
scaledifficulttocollectof the city's domestic wastewater
was treated in Hanoi, while inHCMC. In Ho Chi Minh City, theNot having to issuedischarge
permits
makes it difficult forthemanagementwork

proportion of DWW is treated onlyabout 10%.

The urban drainage system in particular and the drainage system in general ofVietnam still have many shortcomings:
Collection network- Patchwork, asynchronous

Performance of centralized
WWTPs- The total length of the network is
too short compared to the length ofstreets and alleys• The collection system is notcomplete, so many places only
operate about 20% of
designed capacity

Overloading urban drainage
networkFunds for Centralized WWTP
investment• The population density and waste
standards in urban areas aremuch higher than in other areas
and therefore often overloaded• Still too luxurious with 833 large
and small cities in Vietnam• Too difficult for rural,
mountainous and other areas

Increasing pressure on theenvironment in the future

Rural domestic wastewatercollection network• Population growth• High speed of urbanization• Living standards and standards forwater discharge have increased• Most do not have a collection
network

Centralized
wastewater
treatment in Vietnam isfacing many difficulties andshortcomings as at present

Decentralized wastewater
treatment in Vietnam is anappropriate solution today

It is necessary to have appropriate andsimplesolutionsand
collection
technologies and wastewater treatment
with low construction and operating
costs and convenience in wastewatercollection with Vietnamese conditions.
Currently, the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the National
University of Civil Engineering, a number of centers under the Ministry ofConstruction, Center for Consulting and Environmental Technology, VIETNAMENVIRONMENT ADMINISTRATION, and a number of Japanese and Korean companies
etc. have successfully applied and tested a number of models of domestic
wastewater treatment at small scale for localities across the country.

a)

b)

d)

e)

h)

i)

c)

g)

k))

Figure 2: Some decentralized wastewater treatment technologies are applied inVietnam

Consistent with thecharacteristics ofVietnam's natural
conditions and terrain

Advantages

Consistent with thefinancial capacity of theurban, concentrated
residential areas ofVietnam

In accordance with theurban development
planning, rural
residential areas ofVietnam

The drainage pressure is uneven due tothe density of the population
Due to many lakes, rivers and streams,
the drainage system is often divided into
many small partitions, suitable fordecentralized treatment
Reduce construction investment cost ofwastewater collection system
Reduce initial costs due to possible
divergence of investment in accordancewith urban development
Asynchronous development over space
and time

High urbanization speed (35%)

Easy to impact the view if designed
Construction is usually
within the inner city ornear residential areas

Limitations

Decentralized wastewater
treatment is usuallydischarged into rivers,
lakes, urban ponds or acommon drainage
systemDifficulties in land fund forbuilding wastewater
treatment plans in theinner city

inconsequential

Design, operation does not meet technicalrequirements that can cause bad odors
affecting the surrounding people

May cause eutrophication in urban ponds
and lakes if the N and P content in
wastewater is still highIn Vietnam, according to the current provisions of Circular 04/2015 / TT-BXD,decentralized drainage is applied to:1) New residential areas or clusters family

2) Business establishments, services, handicraft
production, trade villages, markets
The object ofdecentralized
wastewater
treatment

3) Schools

4) Resort5) areas limited by land, terrain ... are not able orcannot be connected to the WWTP

Decentralized
wastewater treatment
solutions in Vietnam

On siteDecentralizedwastewatertreatment• Applies to individual
drainage households.
• Q< 50m3/ day.

Decentralized
wastewater
treatment inclusters• Apply to the drainage
households near each other.
• Q: 50- 200 m3/ day.

Decentralized
wastewater
treatment byregion• Applied in an administrative
boundary.
• Q: 200-1000 m3/ day.

are divided into 03
categories:

To select decentralized wastewater treatment technology, the following criteria
should be applied:
1. Capacity of WWTP
2. Components and nature of wastewater, load-bearing capacity, location ofdischarging sewage after generating wastewater
3. The level of energy use required for collection and treatment
4. Requirements according to standards and standards on the quality oftreated waste water
5. Technical, financial and managerial conditions for management andoperation of WWTPs
6. Climatic conditions, topography, engineering geology and hydrogeology
7. The ability to expand or increase capacity and the ability to connect to thecentralized wastewater treatment system in the future
8. Other environmental factors are involved

Depending on the construction
planning
conditions,ordrainage
theplanningspecific

localconditions and the above criteria thatthetechnology

appliedtoWWTP bymechanicalmethods

WWTP byanaerobic
biologicalmethods

WWTP byaerobic
biologicalmethods

WWTP bychemicalmethods

decentralized wastewater treatment
will have different options between
locations. methods and works.
However, in theory, decentralized
wastewater treatment technologies
can be classified into four categories
as follows:Currently, some of the technologies currently being guided by the Ministry ofConstruction in Circular 04/2015 / TT-BXD to apply decentralized wastewater
treatment are as follows:
Septic tankAnaerobic filter tank with partition
Improved septic tank with baffles and anaerobic filter compartment
upstream
Anaerobic lakes, anaerobic lakes, stable lakes
constructed wetlands
Batch reactor
Other technology

Mechanism and policy for decentralized
wastewater treatment

Closely coordinate at central level between MOC, MOST and MONRE
on developing management mechanisms, policies and technologies
for decentralized wastewater treatment solutions.

MiddleEarly promulgating "Technical regulation on wastewater discharged
into urban drainage systems" and "Technical regulation on
decentralized treatment wastewater discharged into receiving
sources" under Decree 80 / ND-CP;
Encouragement and incentive mechanisms are needed to attract
private participation in drainage, decentralized wastewater
treatment.
Other technologies in Circular 04/2015 / TT-BXD need to be issued
the order of verification, inspection, testing and replication
techniques when applied in practice;Local

For urban areas, it is necessary to review and consider thecontinued use and improvement of centralized drainage systems or
the application of decentralized systems for suburban areas, newurban areas and rural areas;Compulsory regulations (and implementation of Information Education - Communication and financial support programs) for
drainage households must be connected to the collection network.

Requirements for decentralized wastewater
treatment technology

In accordance with weather conditions,wastewater characteristics of Vietnam
The size is suitable for the narrow area ofurban
Meetthedischarge
standards,
requirements of the receiving source

Cost of the entire life cycle of acceptableworks in Vietnam (Initial investment costs,operation, maintenance, maintenance)

Suitable for site conditions in Vietnam
Urban aestheticIt is necessary to easily upgrade andexpand to meet the rapid urbanization
speed in Vietnam
Operational and management techniques
Supplies, machinery and equipment need
to be easily supplied and replaced in
VietnamIt is necessary to be verified and appraised for other technologies
in Circular 04/2015/TT-BXD before applying

Implementation of technology
application

Environmental procedures should beaccordance with the regulations ofGovernment before implementation

implemented inthe Vietnamese

Construct synchronously the system of collection network
and WWTPs to ensure connectivity and reduce waste ininvestment
The supplier in Vietnam is capable of maintaining andreplacing equipment for emergency treatment when anincident occurs.

Reduceinvestment,
operationandmaintenance costs inaccordance
withVietnam'seconomicconditions

High localization rate

Production, installationand transfer in thecountry

Lowenergyconsumption,
alternative supplies

Spare parts and materials
are easily replaced bymaterials in Vietnam

Maximize use of Vietnamese
humanresourcesinconstruction, installation andmaintenanceEstablishment
decisionsCenterforEnvironmental

Consultancy

andTechnology (CECT) is a unit under the Vietnam
Environment Administration, established underDecision No. 2465/QD-BTNMT dated November

Functions andpowers

26th, 2008 of the Minister of Natural Resourcesand Environment.
Functions,tasks,powers

andorganizational

structure according to Decision No. 1313/QĐBTNMT dated April 26th, 2018 of the Minister of
Natural Resources and Environment.

CECT operates in thefields of:Environmentalprotection
consultancy;
Research, Application
and Technology
Transfer forEnvironmental
Pollution Treatment.

Organizing applied research, implementing scientificand technological advances in the field ofenvironment;
Building and organizing the implementation of key
projects on application of environmental science andtechnology achievements;
Participating in evaluation and assessment ofenvironmental pollution treatment technology, waste
treatment facilities and equipment prior to operation.
Organizing the implementation of international
cooperation programs and projects as assigned bythe Director General.

1. Project: XLYON
and CTMT for urban
residential areas in theNhue-Day river basin

Location Tay Mo Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi

1. Project: XLYON
and CTMT for urban
residential areas in theNhue-Day river basin

Location Tay Mo Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi

2. Project:
Preventing pollution
and improving Cau
river's water source bycontrolling andtreating highly durable
organic substances inleachate by means ofadvanced oxidation
combined with biology
Location Xuan Hoa Ward, Phuc Yen city, Vinh Phuc province2. Project:
Preventing pollution
and improving Cau
river's water source bycontrolling andtreating highly durable
organic substances inleachate by means ofadvanced oxidation
combined with biology
Location Xuan Hoa Ward, Phuc Yen city, Vinh Phuc province2. Project:
Preventing pollution
and improving Cau
river's water source bycontrolling andtreating highly durable
organic substances inleachate by means ofadvanced oxidation
combined with biology
Location Xuan Hoa Ward, Phuc Yen city, Vinh Phuc province

3. Projec: Building amodel to treat Mixed
waste water - processingof agricultural products
and foodstuffs rich inorganic matter (brewingwine,makingtofu,making rice cakes, ricevermicelli, raising animals...) at low cost, applicable
to residential areas in theNhue-Day river basin
Location Chau Giang commune, Duy Tien district, Ha Nam

3. Projec: Building amodel to treat Mixed
waste water - processingof agricultural products
and foodstuffs rich inorganic matter (brewingwine,makingtofu,making rice cakes, ricevermicelli, raising animals...) at low cost, applicable
to residential areas in theNhue-Day river basin
Location Chau Giang commune, Duy Tien district, Ha Nam

3. Projec: Building amodel to treat Mixed
waste water - processingof agricultural products
and foodstuffs rich inorganic matter (brewingwine,makingtofu,making rice cakes, ricevermicelli, raising animals...) at low cost, applicable
to residential areas in theNhue-Day river basin
Location Chau Giang commune, Duy Tien district, Ha Nam

4. Project:
Overcoming pollution,
improving thelandscape of Cau
River basin by pilot
domestic wastewater
treatment byanaerobic filtration
technology combinedwith underground
filtration yards to plant
trees
Location Song Cong town, Thai Nguyen province

4. Project:
Overcoming pollution,
improving thelandscape of Cau
River basin by pilot
domestic wastewater
treatment byanaerobic filtration
technology combinedwith underground
filtration yards to planttreesLocation Song Cong town, Thai Nguyen province

4. Project:
Overcoming pollution,
improving thelandscape of Cau
River basin by pilot
domestic wastewater
treatment byanaerobic filtration
technology combinedwith underground
filtration yards to plant
trees
Location Song Cong town, Thai Nguyen province1. Nguyen Viet Anh (2015), Current situation of urban wastewater treatment technology andtechnology in Vietnam.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (2019), National Environmental Status
Report 2018.
2.

3. Ministry of Construction (2015), "Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BXD dated April 3rd, 2015,guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Government's Decree 80/2014/NDCP of August 6th, 2014, on drainage and sewage treatment”.
4.

Ministry of Construction (2019), Draft, Report on assessing the urbanization process inVietnam in the period of 2011 - 2020 and goals, tasks of the period 2021 - 2030, 5-year planof 2021 - 2025.
5. Government (2014), "Decree No. 80/2014/ND-CP dated August 6th, 2014 on drainage andwastewater treatment”.
6. General Statistics Office (2011), Vietnam population forecast 2009-2049, Statistical
Publishing House, Hanoi.
7. Tran Hieu Nhue và Tran Thi Hien Hoa (2015), " Management, treatment and domestic
wastewater, urban domestic wastewater in Vietnam - Proposals and recommendations ".
8. World Bank (2013), Main report, Assessment of urban wastewater management in Vietnam.
9. World Bank (2013), Viet Nam: Strive to become a successful middle-income country,
accessed on September 15, 2019, at the website
https://www.worldbank.org/vi/results/2013/04/12/vietnam-achieving-success-as-a-middleincome-country.