Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BTNMT Issuing National Technical Regulations on Domestic Wastewater and Urban Wastewater, Concentrated Residential Areas

CIRCULAR

Issuing national technical regulations on domestic wastewater and urban and concentrated residential area wastewater

_____________________

Pursuant to the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations dated June 29, 2006;

Pursuant to the Environmental Protection Law dated November 17, 2020;

Pursuant to Decree No. 08/2022/NĐ-CP dated January 10, 2022 of the Government detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection and Decree No. 05/2025/NĐ-CP dated January 6, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 08/2022/NĐ-CP dated January 10, 2022 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection;

Pursuant to Decree No. 127/2007/NĐ-CP dated August 1, 2007 of the Government detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations and Decree No. 78/2018/NĐ-CP dated May 16, 2018 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 127/2007/NĐ-CP dated August 1, 2007 of the Government detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 68/2022/NĐ-CP dated September 22, 2022 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the proposal of the Director of the Environmental Pollution Control Department and the Head of the Science and Technology Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issues this Circular on national technical regulations on domestic wastewater and urban and concentrated residential area wastewater.

Article 1. Attached to this Circular is the National Technical Regulation on Domestic and Urban Wastewater and Concentrated Residential Area Wastewater (QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT).

Article 2. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from September 1, 2025.

2. QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Domestic Wastewater (issued with Decision No. 16/2008/QĐ-BTNMT dated December 31, 2008 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issuing national environmental technical standards) ceases to be effective according to the transitional provisions in Article 3 and the implementation timeline in Article 4 of this Circular.

3. From the date this Circular takes effect, if the discharge area for wastewater has not been determined, Column B as specified in Tables 1 and 2 of QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT shall apply.

Article 3. Transitional Provisions

1. Existing facilities that have commenced operation, investment projects that have received approval decisions on environmental impact assessment reports or have been accepted by competent state authorities for complete and valid environmental impact assessment report submission, environmental permit issuance, or environmental registration before the effective date of this Circular shall continue to apply QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Domestic Wastewater, QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater (if applicable), and local government regulations (including local environmental technical standards on wastewater) until December 31, 2031.

2. In cases where state authorities issue regulations related to changes in the function of receiving water bodies, entities subject to Clause 1 of this Article shall implement according to the timeline set forth by the competent state authorities when issuing such regulations.

Article 4. Implementation timeline

1. From the date this Circular takes effect, new investment projects (including new investment projects, expanded scale investment projects, increased capacity investment projects submitting applications for environmental impact assessment report review, environmental permit issuance, or environmental registration after the effective date of this Circular) must comply with the provisions of QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT.

2. As of January 1, 2032, entities subject to Clause 1 of Article 3 of this Circular must meet the requirements stipulated in QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT.

3. It is encouraged that entities subject to Clause 1 of Article 3 of this Circular apply the provisions of QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT from the date this Circular takes effect.

State-owned enterprises that have been assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct offshore wind power project surveys before the effective date of this Circular shall continue to implement according to the assigned documents; any new matters arising after the effective date of this Circular shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

1. Ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, People's Committees at all levels, Provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Environment under central cities, and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During the implementation of this Circular, if any difficulties arise, agencies, organizations, and individuals should promptly reflect them in writing to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consideration and resolution.

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

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QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

AMENDMENT 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD
ON DOMESTIC WASTEWATER
AND URBAN AND CONCENTRATED RESIDENTIAL AREA WASTEWATER

National Technical Regulation on Domestic and Municipal Wastewater

HANOI - 2025

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

Foreword

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT was compiled by the Environmental Pollution Control Department, reviewed by the Science and Technology Department, examined by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment pursuant to Circular No. .../2025/TT-BTNMT dated ..., ..., 2025.

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT replaces QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Domestic Wastewater.

AMENDMENT 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD
ON DOMESTIC WASTEWATER AND URBAN AND CONCENTRATED RESIDENTIAL AREA WASTEWATER

National Technical Regulation on Domestic and Municipal Wastewater

Chapter 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. Scope of Application

This regulation sets permissible limit values for pollution parameters in domestic and urban and concentrated residential area wastewater when discharged into receiving water bodies.

1.2. Applicability

1.2.1. This regulation applies to state agencies, organizations, and individuals (hereinafter referred to collectively as organizations and individuals) engaged in discharging domestic and urban and concentrated residential area wastewater into receiving water bodies.

1.2.2. This regulation does not apply to entities using decentralized wastewater treatment facilities as provided for by environmental protection laws.

1.3. Explanation of Terms

In this regulation, the following terms are understood as follows:

1.3.1. Domestic wastewater refers to wastewater generated from human activities, including eating, bathing, washing, and personal hygiene. Wastewater generated from investment projects and business and service establishments listed in Appendix 1 of this regulation shall be managed as domestic wastewater under this regulation.

1.3.2. Urban and concentrated residential area wastewater refers to wastewater generated from urban areas and concentrated residential areas.

1.3.3. Column A, Column B, Column C (wastewater discharge zones) in Table 1 and Table 2 of this Standard are defined as follows:

1.3.3.1. Column A specifies the permissible limit values for pollution parameters in wastewater when discharging wastewater into receiving water bodies intended for potable water supply purposes or for managing and improving water quality as Level A in Tables 2 and 3 of QCVN 08:2023/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality, or as prescribed by the Provincial People's Committee.

1.3.3.2. Column B specifies the permissible limit values for pollution parameters in wastewater when discharging wastewater into receiving water bodies intended for managing and improving water quality as Level B in Tables 2 and 3 of QCVN 08:2023/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Surface Water Quality, or as prescribed by the Provincial People's Committee.

1.3.3.3. Column C specifies the permissible limit values for pollution parameters in wastewater when discharging wastewater into receiving water bodies not covered by the provisions of Section 1.3.3.1 and Section 1.3.3.2 of this Standard.

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

Chapter 2. TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

2.1. Permissible limit values for pollution parameters in municipal wastewater, concentrated residential area wastewater
town, concentrated residential area

Based on the provisions of Section 1.3.3 of this Standard and the discharge flow rate, the permissible limit values for pollution parameters in municipal wastewater and concentrated residential area wastewater when discharged into receiving water bodies are specified in Table 1.

Table 1. Permissible limit values for pollution parameters in municipal wastewater, concentrated residential area wastewater
concentrated residential area

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

Note: Organizations and individuals may choose to apply either TOC or COD.

2.2. Permissible limit values for pollution parameters in domestic wastewater from investment projects, facilities
operation of investment projects, facilities

Based on the provisions of Section 1.3.3 of this Standard, the permissible limit values for pollution parameters in domestic wastewater when discharged into receiving water bodies are specified in Table 2.

Table 2. Permissible limit values for pollution parameters in domestic wastewater from investment projects, facilities

Chapter 3. METHODS FOR DETERMINATION

3.1. The methods and techniques for sampling wastewater and determining pollution parameters in domestic wastewater, municipal wastewater, and concentrated residential area wastewater shall be carried out according to the provisions in Appendix 2 of this Standard. Other pollution parameter determination methods shall be conducted according to the provisions in Appendix 1 of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater.

In cases where a pollution parameter allows multiple testing methods (analysis) and requires an arbitration method to resolve disputes, complaints, or lawsuits, the first testing method listed in Column 3 of Appendix 2 of this Standard or Column 3 of Appendix 1 of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater shall be used.

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

3.2. Approval of other testing methods (not referenced in Column 3 of Appendix 2 of this Standard) includes: newly issued TCVN standards; national standard methods of one of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries, European Standardization Organization (CEN/EN), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, member states of the European Union, South Korea, or International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, or standard water and wastewater testing methods (SMEWW).

Chapter 4. MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS

4.1. Pollution parameters and permissible limit values for pollution parameters in domestic wastewater, municipal wastewater, and concentrated residential area wastewater from investment projects and facilities discharging wastewater must be stated in the Decision Approving the Environmental Impact Assessment Report Review Results, Environmental Permit, or environmental registration documents.

4.2. Pollution parameters that must be controlled in domestic wastewater or municipal wastewater, concentrated residential area wastewater from investment projects and facilities discharging wastewater must be specified in the Decision Approving the Environmental Impact Assessment Report Review Results, Environmental Permit, including:

4.2.1. Pollution parameters specified in Table 1 of this Standard for municipal wastewater and concentrated residential area wastewater or Table 2 of this Standard for domestic wastewater.

4.2.2. Pollution parameters: Trichloromethane, Chlorine in cases where the wastewater treatment system uses chlorine or chlorine-based disinfectants.

4.2.3. Specific pollution parameters (other than those specified in Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 of this Standard) according to production, business, service types (specified in Column 4 and Column 5 of Appendix 2 of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater) in cases where the municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems connect to or accept industrial wastewater.

4.3. Discharge of wastewater into receiving water bodies is considered compliant with and consistent with this Standard when:

4.3.1. Monitoring and analysis results of pollution parameters in municipal wastewater and concentrated residential area wastewater do not exceed the permissible limit values specified in Table 1 of this Standard and Table 2 (with corresponding discharge zones (Column)) of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater, in cases where additional pollution parameters arise as specified in Sections 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 of this Standard.

4.3.2. Monitoring and analysis results of pollution parameters in domestic wastewater do not exceed the permissible limit values specified in Table 2 of this Standard or Table 2 (with corresponding discharge zones (Column)) of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater, in cases where additional pollution parameters arise as specified in Section 4.2.2 of this Standard.

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

4.4. Compliance and consistency with this Standard are evaluated through pre-discharge monitoring and testing of wastewater samples.

4.5. The monitoring and analysis of pollution parameters specified in Table 1 and Table 2 of this Standard and other pollution parameters specified in Table 2 of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater to provide information and data for state management agencies must be carried out by organizations that have been issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Environmental Monitoring Service activities in accordance with the provisions of the law. The use of results from automatic and continuous wastewater monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the law.

4.6. The results of compliance assessment and conformity with this Standard serve as the basis for state management agencies to consider and handle in accordance with the provisions of the law.

4.7. Domestic wastewater generated from production, business, and service activities within urban areas and concentrated residential zones when connected to urban and concentrated residential wastewater collection and treatment systems must comply with the requirements set by the project investors, managers, and operators of urban and concentrated residential wastewater treatment systems or local authorities.

4.8. Domestic wastewater from production, business, and service facilities located in concentrated production, business, and service zones and industrial clusters when connected to industrial wastewater collection and treatment systems must meet the requirements stipulated by the project investors and operators of infrastructure in concentrated production, business, and service zones and industrial clusters.

4.9. Domestic wastewater from production, business, and service facilities if collected and treated separately from industrial wastewater shall be managed as domestic wastewater as prescribed in this Standard.

4.10. Entities permitted to use decentralized wastewater treatment facilities in accordance with environmental protection laws but do not construct or install such facilities may choose to apply the provisions in Table 2 of this Standard.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

5.1. Project investors and entities discharging wastewater are responsible for ensuring:

5.1.1. The limit values of pollution parameters in urban and concentrated residential area wastewater do not exceed the permissible limit values specified in Table 1 of this Standard and Table 2 (with corresponding discharge zones (Column)) of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater, in cases where additional pollution parameters arise as specified in Section 4.2.2 and Section 4.2.3 of this Standard.

5.1.2. The limit values of pollution parameters in domestic wastewater do not exceed the permissible limit values specified in Table 2 of this Standard or Table 2 (with corresponding discharge zones (Column)) of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater, in cases where additional pollution parameters arise as specified in Section 4.2.2 of this Standard.

5.2. Project investors and entities are responsible for determining pollution parameters in wastewater according to the principles specified in Section 4.2 of this Standard based on the following criteria: Raw materials, materials, fuels, chemicals used and waste treatment technology; information about types of production, business, and services generating industrial wastewater connected to urban and concentrated residential wastewater collection and treatment systems and the list of potential pollution parameters (proposed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report Review Application, Environmental Permit Issuance Application, Amendment, Renewal Application).

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

5.3. State management agencies responsible for reviewing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and issuing environmental permits shall specifically determine the pollution parameters to be controlled based on the proposals of project investors and entities in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report Review Application, Environmental Permit Issuance Application, Amendment, Renewal Application. In cases where other pollution parameters exceed the permissible limit values specified in Table 2 of QCVN 40:2025/BTNMT - National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater, supplementary control measures shall be implemented in accordance with the regulations.

6. IMPLEMENTATION

6.1. Provincial People's Committees are responsible for reviewing and adjusting local environmental technical standards already promulgated regarding domestic wastewater to comply with legal provisions, local socio-economic development conditions, and this Standard.

6.2. State management agencies for environmental protection are responsible for guiding and supervising the implementation of this Standard.

6.3. In cases where documents and regulations cited in this Standard are amended, supplemented, or replaced, the new documents and regulations shall be applied.

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

Respectfully submitted to: The State Bank of Vietnam Branch in the Region ...

List of business and service types generating wastewater managed as domestic wastewater
(a) Business and service types classified according to the Industry Code specified in Decision No. 27/2018/QĐ-TTg dated July 6, 2018 of the Government on the Vietnam Industry Classification System.

(a) Type of business, service classified according to the Industry Code prescribed in Decision No. 27/2018/QD-TTg dated July 6, 2018 issued by the Prime Minister on the system of economic sectors in Vietnam.

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BANK OF VIETNAM
Methods and techniques for sampling domestic wastewater and urban and concentrated residential area wastewater and determining pollution parameters
domestic wastewater and urban wastewater, concentrated residential area

QCVN 14:2025/BTNMT

Note:

- TCVN: National Standards of Vietnam.

- ISO: International Organization for Standardization Standards.