According to two water companies that serve the city, Hanoi is facing some serious water shortages.
The warning was given at a meeting last week where attendees were told that unless steps were taken, “several urban areas could face more serious shortages,” reports DTI News.
"Underground water (which provides 70 per cent of the city's water) has been declining while the number of customers is still increasing," said Nguyen Bao Vinh, director of the MTV Hanoi Clean Water Co., Ltd.
Vinh added that many areas in Hoang Mai, Dong Da and Cau Giay Districts would experience severe water shortages next year.
Vice-chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee, Nguyen Quoc Hung, said that reducing water theft, which is currently as high as 23% of total consumption, would help remedy the situation.
Authorities have called on water companies to carefully inspect their systems and for the construction of a $231 million water treatment plant.
Not enough water and too much garbage are not problems a growing city like Hanoi should take lightly.