Issuing the Regulation on domestic water quality in 2022

Quality control of domestic clean water at Gia Tan Water Plant, Thong Nhat District

According to the Department of Health, Circular No. 26/2021/TT-BYT issued by the Ministry of Health at the end of 2021 indicates that since February 1, 2022, People's Committees of provinces and cities are responsible for promulgating technical regulations local technique on the quality of clean water used for households. However, this circular does not limit the time, nor does it have mandatory content that all local governments have to issue.

The Department of Health has sent a written request for opinions not to promulgate the above standard. As a result, 8 out of 11 districts and cities gave comments, all of which agreed with the proposal not to issue local technical regulations on the quality of clean water for daily utilization. Four departments namely: Science and Technology; Natural Resources and Environment; Agriculture and Rural Development, Construction all consulted the Department of Health to advise the Provincial People's Committee to develop and issue local technical regulations on the quality of clean water for daily consumption.

According to Vice Chairman Vo Van Phi of the Provincial People's Committee, the development of local technical regulations on the quality of clean water used for domestic purposes is to comply with the provisions of the law. The Department of Construction will soon complete the clean water supply project in Dong Nai Province; The Department of Health shall assume the prime responsibility, and coordinate with other departments, branches and localities in formulating plans and promulgating local technical regulations on the quality of clean water used for domestic purposes as soon as possible in 2022. While waiting for the promulgation of local regulations, the Department of Health consults with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on a new rural assessment water standard to replace QCVN 02:2009/BYT national technical regulation on quality of domestic water issued in 2009.

Phan Anh