ENVIRONMENT

Water Resources management Water resources management is closely linked to economic development and poverty reduction, but demands for water often exceed the amount of readily available water resources, hence requiring negotiation between interested stakeholders. Resources have to be related to macro-economic demands of users in a sub-catchments, or other appropriate, level for practical utilisation. There is an increasing need for conservation and protection of water resources and for establishing institutions and procedures for transparent and effective integrated water resources management, which considers as water users and environment.

Overall Vietnam has abundant ground and surface water resources. However, the ground water in Red River and Mekong River Deltas is over-exploited, leading to falling water tables and subsidence issues. Surface water quality in downstream is is generally poor, unsuitable for domestic purposes and is causing freshwater ecosystem near the mouth of the rivers and the main downstream sources of pollution are untreated industrial and domestic wastewater discharges. Sanility intrusion is a particular issue of concern in the Red River and Mekong Deltas.

There are many potential conflicts in relation to the use of water resources, and integrated water resources management is the tool to avoid or solve these conflicts. It is a multidisciplinary and complex issue, involving a challenging mixture of technical, environmental, social, economic, institutional, legal and political aspects. The key to success is the integration of the various disciplines, within the local context.

In Vietnam, local officials are gradually recognizing the value and importance of harnessing local support and cooperation in managing water resources, towards addressing the demands. Consultation activities will contribute to local empowerment, with local stakeholders' concerns increasingly being incorporated in government plans and decisions at various levels.

Grontmij | Carl Bro Vietnam has qualified and experienced experts in integrated water resources management covers a wide range of environmental, cultural and political settings. Our experts can further assist in the determination of national policies in regard to domestic, agricultural, industrial and environmental demands and advise on the development of demand management modalities.

As a member of Grontmij | Carl Bro Group, we have extensive experience in investigating the quantity and quality of surface water resources. We have the tools and experience to conduct groundwater investigations in all main hydrogeological settings, and to plan the exploitation and protection of the resources. We provide relevant services such as:

- Strategic planning, includes of river basin management plans
- Geophysical Investigations
- Hydrological studies and modeling
- Groundwater resource investigations and modeling
- Development of surface water resources
- Development of groundwater resources
- Demand management
- Prioritization of utilisation based on
- Economic value of water and national
- Development priorities
- Water quality investigations and monitoring
- Support to development of policies and legislation
- Conservation and protection of water resources
- Water resources development
- Demand management
- Flood protection
- Environmental impact assessment
- Public participation and conflict resolution
- Handling of cross-border aspects
- Economic assessments, tariff studies and cost recovery
- Support to river basin organisations on prioritisation of water use
- Institutional development and capacity building