(PLO)- The delegates all said that the protection of water resources is really urgent, because this is a very important resource that is being invaded and polluted…
On the afternoon of June 20, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the draft Law on Water Resources (amended).
Can’t eat without water
Commenting on the “principle of protection, exploitation and use” of water resources, Representative Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap delegation) said that it is necessary to detail this content because this is the backbone of the entire bill.
“Water is an invaluable resource, living things, including humans, can be without food but cannot be without water. Our country’s natural water source is currently in decline, causing serious environmental pollution due to the impact of nature and humans.
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Representative Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap). Photo: QH |
NE also proposed more specific policies such as investment in lakes and dams to store water, minimize the construction of hydroelectric dams, apply technology to recycle domestic water, rain water, and improve sea water. into fresh water.
He said that in the past time, it has been very difficult to handle acts harmful to water sources because of the notion that “despite the fact that water is abundant and endless”, the punishment is not strict…
“I propose to take strict measures to set an example and prevent, such as discharging untreated wastewater into the environment, destroying water due to the use of toxic chemicals in agricultural production, exploiting groundwater. innocent” – RD Hoa emphasized.
Need a separate law for domestic water
Commenting on the bill, Representative Le Xuan Than (Khanh Hoa union) emphasized that “citizens have the right to ensure social security”, so the issue of clean water supply and domestic water should be adjusted in the bill. This.
He said that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has informed that the Government is assigning the Ministry to study and develop a separate law on water supply and drainage, but there is no law or ordinance in the law-making program.
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NE Le Xuan Than (Khanh Hoa). Photo: QH |
According to Mr. Than, the issue of domestic water supply is currently being regulated by Decree 117/2007 (amended and supplemented in 2011, 2017, 2019). In particular, regulations on water use by customers, water connection, water supply service contracts, suspension, stoppage, water prices, water policies for remote areas, etc.
“With the goal of ensuring social security into the law, I propose to include this content and turn all the contents of Decree 117 into a chapter of the Law on Water Resources” – Mr. Than suggested.
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NE Nguyen Quang Huan (Binh Duong). Photo: QH |
Debating with Representative Le Xuan Than, Representative Nguyen Quang Huan (Binh Duong Union) said that now the policies in Decree 117/2007 17 years ago are very outdated and incomplete. According to him, the current water supply and drainage industry is not developed due to many reasons such as urban water supply, many focal points in rural water supply; low water prices do not attract investment; Poor technology, low water quality…
“As NE Than also said due to the importance of living water, it is necessary to have a regulation law, but it is necessary to develop a separate law, and if we put it together here, it will overlap in terms of management” – Mr. Huan said and emphasized at present. Currently, the source of water supply for domestic use accounts for only 3% (out of 800 billion m3 / year) and is gradually shrinking, so it is necessary to have a separate law to regulate.
Receiving and explaining to the National Assembly, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh affirmed that the bill aims to institutionalize the views and policies of the Party and the State on management and protection of natural resources and security of water sources in the context of climate change. Climate change is causing droughts, floods and saltwater intrusion in our country.
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Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh. Photo: QH |
He said the drafting agency will absorb the opinions of the delegates to review the draft Law more closely to control the issue of effective water use and water circulation. At the same time, there are policies to regulate water sources to solve the problem of water shortage in the dry season and keep water in the rainy season to ensure effective management of water resources for socio-economic development.
In addition, the drafting agency will coordinate with the verifying agency to study the group of contents on “underground water and sea water in the exclusive economic zone, continental shelf”, mineral water, natural hot water “… to synchronize with relevant laws; In addition to fresh water, there will be regulations on management of brackish water and surface water resources.
Clearer regulations on solutions to prevent and overcome harmful consequences caused by water; have a coordination mechanism to restore and protect water flows and sources.
Find solutions to protect water resources for HCMC
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