Good bye to unsafe water

Coming to Hoa Quoi remote village , Tan Chanh commune, Can Duoc district, Long An province we had a chance to see the water plumbing system to each family thanks to loans from VBSP. A few years ago, people in Tan Chanh had to buy water bins from Ho Chi Minh city. Many families could not afford the cost, they had to use unsafe water from nearby ponds. But at present, tap water flows right into their kitchen etc.

Good bye to unsafe water
Explain to us why Tan Chanh is still one among four commune suffering from unsafe water problems in Long An as of 2010, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tuyen - Vice Chairman of Commune People's Committee said: “Tan Chanh commune locates in wetland area, households here live scattered, for safe water they have to drill 300m deep and build a filter system, thus, require big investment”. A few years ago, thousand of households in Tan Chanh everyday waited for boats from Ho Chi Minh city to transport fresh water for sale with high price of VND 2,000 – 5,000/40 litres. VND 30,000 per day for water that a family with 10 members had to spend was still not enough. Poor households who did not have enough money for safe water, had to use unsafe rain water in ponds and ditches stagnant.
In awareness of the emerging issues and demand of people for safe water, in 2008, VBSP in Can Duoc district lent to 19  households with the total amount of VND 80 million and cooperated with Farmers’ Association to ask local authority for permission from natural resource management agency to drill a well with 280m depth in resident land of Vu Van Vinh’s household. Funding source of the bank was a stimulation for 19 households as member of Famers’s Association to contribute VND 45 million more to buy pipes, a hydraulic meter and build a water filter system. After a period of expeditious construction, in the inauguration ceremony, not only 19 households as owners of the safe water well but all households in Hoa Quoi hamlet gathered around water wells to welcome the first water line. Mr. Nguyen Van Sum - head of the safe water cooperative group said movingly "Now, we can say goodbye to unsafe water in ponds and ditches”
Cooperation in clean water management 
In order to utilize the well water system safely, qualitatively and permanently, Tan Chanh communal district Farmers’ Association lead 19 households initial investors to ioin the safe water partnership. Mr. Nguyen Van Sum was elected as team leader, Vo Van Vinh as money keeper cum technical manager. "When water pipe is broken or valve is damaged somewhere, I  immediately present to fix or replace to ensure safe water for the household " - Mr. Vo Van Vinh said.
Mr Nguyen Van Sum – the group leader said, in each group meeting he always remind members to protect water pipes together and use water economically. In recognition of the water quality, its abundant resources and the transparent management of the safe water partnership, at the end of April - 2010, other 61 households in Hoa Quoi hamlet contribute money to install more pinelines, hydraulic meters to use the partnership’s water resource. Mr. Sum said excitedly: "After two years, members of the partnership has repaid 47 million dong to VBSP, with our effort, at the end of this 2010, we would fully pay off our debts."
In order to ensure electricity for operation of the water well system, electrical branch of Can Duoc district provide a separate electricity meter, all costs are charged to water price. Standing next to the full safe water tank in case  electricity going out,Tran Thi Tuyet, a member of the safe water partnership said eagerly, "two years ago, during the six month of dry season, my family had to spent 20,000 VND a day for water, but still not  enough, now we have had bank’s tap water, the price is only one tenth comparing to before, we’re so happy”.