Build a storage tank, a solution to the shortage of fresh water for domestic use

To add perspective, Tuoi Tre Online Introducing reader Dang Duc’s opinion:

In the provinces of the Mekong Delta, due to high and prolonged saltwater intrusion in many places during this year’s dry season, people have to buy fresh water from private sources to serve daily activities, at very high prices of up to 50,000 VND. VND/m³.

This price is nearly ten times higher than the price water companies sell to people.

In addition to waiting for the authorities to have a long-term solution, people should proactively plan to store fresh water for their families.

For a long time, in the Mekong Delta provinces, when the dry season comes and deep saltwater intrusion occurs, farmers often buy for themselves stainless steel and plastic tanks, jugs, barrels, etc. to store fresh water for domestic use. active.

However, these water containers are not large, like stainless steel tanks that can only hold about 1,000 – 2,000 liters of water. Therefore, the amount of water stored cannot be used for long, especially for large households.

In order to be proactive in their own sources of fresh water for daily life, families in the Mekong Delta provinces in particular as well as in areas where freshwater scarcity often occurs in the dry season in general should build tanks. contain.

Can be made of brick, concrete, can also install large stainless steel underground tanks… Compared to tanks, vases, barrels…, the capacity of the tank will be larger, holding a lot of water.

Each family builds their own storage tank (can be a floating or underground tank), with a capacity of around 10m3.³.

That reserve of fresh water can be enough for a large family to use for a long time, enough for the entire dry season.

When the rainy season comes, families can collect rainwater through the gutter system that flows from the roof to the tank.

My paternal family and many households living in Go Cong Dong and Go Cong Tay districts of Tien Giang province have for many years been proactive in finding fresh water sources for daily use by building tanks to store rainwater. as above. While many families without tanks are in dire straits due to lack of fresh water for daily use.

In terms of cost, each such tank costs about a few million, tens of millions of VND to more than 100 million VND, depending on how large or small the tank capacity is.

The amount of money invested to build a tank is not large compared to many households having to buy fresh water for daily use during many dry seasons and brings many benefits.

For households that cannot afford to build water tanks, local authorities can consider supporting or calling on benefactors to help people build water tanks. I think it is also one of the long-term solutions for people in drought and saltwater areas, helping people live more stably and basic lives.