Some Nha Trang residents have connected their home sewage systems to a storm drain, spilling filth directly into the shallow waters of the popular beach city.
A noxious odor accompanies filth and refuse on a section of public beach in Nha Trang, according to Tuoi Tre. Locals say that the condition of the water has emptied the popular tourist stop. Officials have acknowledged the problem but the situation continues to persist.
Le Tien Vinh, director of Nha Trang’s public services explains that "this part of the city does not have a sewage treatment plant; residents are required to install septic tanks at their homes to treat sewage." Yet, many have found it easier to tap into the storm drain. He says offenders will be fined, though no specifics for how this would be done or cleanup measures were offered.
This is far from the first time the south-central city's once-pristine waters have been sullied by selfish dumping. In 2016, stinky waste from a tourism site and private homes was released into a dam and made its way into the bay via the Cai River. The year prior, construction efforts were blamed for pollution and harmful dredging.
Nha Trang is a major tourism destination with global recognition, but many feel the spot's best days are behind it. While there are increased efforts for trash collection in the water, it still cannot meet demand.
Around 60% of solid trash is not collected on the islands of the bay, and waste from the mainland comes in the form of household sewage, construction run-off and aquacultural byproducts. Authorities frequently discuss the importance of conservation over development, but not a lot has been done to improve the local environment.
[Photo via Vietnammoi]
