Can Tho announces 37 free water supply points in response to El Nino

In the closing days of June, despite the onset of the rainy season, many localities across the Mekong Delta have recorded prolonged heat waves. According to forecasts from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, El Nino is expected to return in the second half of 2026 with the greatest intensity seen in decades, bringing with it the risk of extended heat, drought, widespread water shortages, and saltwater intrusion. This has created an urgent need to ensure clean water access for rural residents.

The Can Tho City Rural Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation Center, operating under the city's Department of Agriculture and Environment, said one of the earliest and most timely responses has been the activation of 37 public clean water supply points. Each point is equipped with a 10,000-liter tank providing free water to residents, particularly in coastal areas at high risk of shortages. Since the beginning of the year, these points have collectively supplied nearly 2.13 million liters of water and remain in continuous operation.

The 37 public water supply points are located across 12 communes: Lieu Tu, Tai Van, Thanh Thoi An, Lich Hoi Thuong, Tran De, Lai Hoa, Vinh Hai, Khanh Hoa, Vinh Chau, Vinh Phuoc, Cu Lao Dung, and An Thanh. Tran De and Vinh Phuoc communes each have the highest number of points at five, Thanh Thoi An has four, and the remaining communes have between one and three points each. The distribution is designed to provide comprehensive coverage across all areas of Can Tho affected by drought and salinity intrusion.

After more than six months of operation, the proportion of rural households in Can Tho with access to clean water has reached 82.97 percent, up 0.31 percentage points from the level recorded at the time of the provincial merger, and is expected to surpass the 2026 target of 83.13 percent by the third quarter.

The city's rural water sector has also commissioned several water supply works funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, with a combined capacity of 4,400 cubic meters per day, while more than 100 kilometers of pipeline have been upgraded and extended, bringing clean water to an additional 3,145 households.

Nevertheless, the rural water sector faces significant pressure as El Nino is forecast to return. The Can Tho Department of Agriculture and Environment has directed the Center to develop a response plan that includes further expanding the free water supply network, actively monitoring water sources, and standing ready with solutions to ensure no resident is left without access to clean water for daily needs.

Looking further ahead, for the 2026–2030 period, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has submitted to the city's People's Committee five rural clean water investment projects. Four of these involve constructing surface water extraction facilities with a combined capacity of 80,000 cubic meters per day, while the fifth involves upgrading and expanding the centralized water supply system serving communes in the former Soc Trang area.

In addition, the Center has compiled a list of 46 rural clean water infrastructure works proposed for investment under national target programs for the 2026–2030 period. The Department of Agriculture and Environment has reported these needs to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for consideration and investment support.

List of 37 free clean water supply points for rural residents in Can Tho

Lieu Tu commune has three points: the Vien Binh centralized water station, the Lieu Tu centralized water station, and the Lao Ven water supply system.

Tai Van commune has three points: the Bung Sa-Tra Duc centralized water station, Tai Van 1, and Tai Van 2.

Thanh Thoi An commune has four points: the Thanh Thoi An centralized water station, the Thanh Thoi Thuan centralized water station, and the Tac Buom and Thanh Nhan water supply systems.

Lich Hoi Thuong commune has one point: the Lich Hoi Thuong water plant. Tran De commune has five points: the Trung Binh, Ap Cho, and Mo O centralized water stations, along with the Ap Cho and Dau Giong water supply systems.

Lai Hoa commune has two points: the Preychop and Lai Hoa centralized water stations. Vinh Hai commune has two points: the Giong Chua and Vinh Hai centralized water stations. Khanh Hoa ward has three points: the Hoa Dong 1, Khanh Hoa, and Vinh Hiep centralized water stations.

Vinh Chau ward has three points: the Lac Hoa (old) centralized water station, the Lac Hoa station funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Vinh Chau centralized water station.

Vinh Phuoc ward has five points: the Vinh Phuoc, Vinh Phuoc–Vinh Tan, and Vinh Tan (old) centralized water stations, along with the Vinh Tan station funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Vinh Tan water supply system.

Cu Lao Dung commune has three points: the An Thanh 2, An Thanh 3, and An Thanh Nam centralized water stations, the last of which was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

An Thanh commune has three points: the An Thanh 2, Cu Lao Dung, and An Thanh Tay centralized water stations, with the An Thanh Tay station funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.