Decision No. 63/1998/QĐ-TTg on approving the orientation for national urban water supply development until 2010

DECISION

Regarding the approval of the Orientation for National Urban Water Supply Development until 2020 

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Construction at the report No. 02/BXD-KTQH dated February 7, 1998, 

DECISION:

Article 1.- Approves the Orientation for National Urban Water Supply Development until 2020 with the main contents as follows:

I. OBJECTIVES:

To provide guidance for the development of the urban water supply industry to serve the country's industrialization and modernization process; thereby, establish appropriate investment plans to develop urban water supply systems steadily and sustainably in each stage.

1. Short-term objectives:

Expand the scope and improve the quality of urban water supply services; ensure that by the year 2000, 80% of the urban population has access to clean water with an average standard of 80 - 100 liters/person/day. Major cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City aim to achieve 100% of the population having access to clean water with a standard of 120 - 150 liters/person/day;

Ensure water supply for industrial needs and cultural and social demands in urban areas;

Renovate and upgrade water supply facilities that are too old or currently do not meet design capacity;

Reduce water loss and revenue loss rates to 40% in existing urban areas and 30% in new urban areas by the year 2000;

Water supply companies are determined to be public utility enterprises; gradually eliminate the subsidy system; water prices should be set accurately to cover construction and development costs;

Re-establish discipline in the urban water supply sector across all stages from technological processes, production, business, finance, service to state management; resolutely eliminate negative phenomena in the water sector; intensify propaganda efforts, raise public awareness, and enforce penalties according to the law; promote the role of the people in building, managing, and using urban water supply systems.

2. Long-term objectives:

Conduct surveys, exploit, and protect national water resources: surface water, groundwater, rivers, natural and artificial reservoirs in different regions, paying special attention to coastal cities, arid regions, mountainous areas, highlands, and other distinctive regions;

Improve the quality of water supply services for production and daily life in urban areas, creating conditions for water supply companies to become financially independent while fulfilling their public service obligations and social policies;

By the year 2020, strive to achieve the following water supply targets: 100% of the urban population will have access to clean water with a standard of 120 - 150 liters/person/day; for major cities like Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, aim for a standard of 180 - 200 liters/person/day;

Train staff and reform management work in line with the Party and State's industrialization and modernization policy; strengthen the capabilities of consulting companies to undertake project planning and design for water supply systems;

Develop science and technology, enhance the application of new technologies through technology transfer, gradually modernize urban water supply systems;

Increase investment in the production of domestic equipment, materials, and spare parts with high quality to meet both domestic and international market requirements;

Apply advanced standards, procedures, and regulations; integrate the Vietnamese water supply industry with regional countries, aligning with the Party and Government's open-door and expanded international cooperation policies;

II. MAIN SOLUTIONS:

Exploit, use reasonably, and protect water sources and maintain environmental hygiene:

To meet the demand for water supply due to urban population growth and water supply for production and cultural-social activities in urban areas, it is necessary to continue conducting surveys, evaluating specific water resources based on available data; plan rational exploitation and utilization of water sources; implement water reserve strategies;

Implement projects to protect against water source pollution and consequences of unregulated underground water extraction; strictly control localized well drilling. Water supply projects must include environmental impact assessment reports;

Reform the organizational structure of the water supply sector from central to local levels:

Based on the current organization, restructure those that are unsuitable, from central sector management agencies; enhance the role of local authorities in managing water supply operations within their respective jurisdictions, particularly strengthening the capabilities of water supply companies;

Reform financial policies, create funding sources for urban water supply work:

Promote the socialization of the urban water supply industry, mobilizing contributions from all economic sectors and the community; seek assistance and sponsorship from governments and international organizations;

Issue new water prices to ensure that water supply companies are financially independent and eventually cover sewage treatment costs in urban areas;

Modernize technology and produce equipment and materials:

Apply modern technology to water supply systems in major cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, new towns, concentrated industrial zones, export processing zones, tourist centers, service and trade centers;

Apply suitable technology widely in many places, closely linked to the actual conditions of existing facilities to renovate and upgrade water supply systems to meet urgent needs, utilizing domestic equipment and materials, reducing investment costs;

Technology and equipment in water supply systems need to be synchronized and standardized to facilitate the replacement of spare parts;

Develop human resources, train cadres and workers:

Establish a comprehensive training program from leadership and management cadres, scientific and technical personnel, economists, financiers to operational and maintenance workers for the water supply sector; consolidate and strengthen the capabilities of schools and specialized training institutions for water supply professionals. On the other hand, implement policies to encourage and motivate the participation of overseas Vietnamese experts;

Strive to meet the requirement of trained management and technical staff for all levels from central to local by the year 2005.

Article 2.- The Ministry of Construction shall take the lead in coordinating with the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Science and Technology, Industry, Health, and other relevant ministries and agencies to implement the Orientation for Urban Water Supply Development, concretize the contents within the Orientation, develop short-term and long-term plans, and ensure the effective implementation of investment programs for constructing and developing urban water supply systems nationwide.

Article 3.- This Decision takes effect from the date of signature. The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, and Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the central government are responsible for enforcing this Decision./.