People in Hanoi’s Bac Tu Liem and Tay Ho districts have been living with a seriously-polluted river for many years, but the local authorities have seemed to ignore the problem.

Cau Da River originates from West Lake, runs through the wards of Xuan La in Tay Ho District and Xuan Dinh and Co Nhue wards in Bac Tu Liem District and pours into the Nhue River.

Cau Da River

For many years, the river has been covered with rubbish, turning the water black with a bad smell. Drainage from many surrounding households directly discharge waste water into the river, which is the main reason for the pollution.

Local residents have asked authorities to deal with the problem; however, nothing has been done to improve the situation. 

Drainage from many surrounding households directly discharge waste water into the river, which is the main reason for the pollution

Hanoi used to be surrounded by attractive rivers, but now heavy pollution has seriously threatened river life.

Sewage from hospitals and factories, are currently poured into the To Lich, Kim Nguu, Set, Lu and Nhue rivers.

Up to 650,000 cubic metres of wastewater in Hanoi's inner-city areas is discharged directly into rivers and lakes a day while there are only three wastewater treatment plants in with a total capacity of over 206,000 cubic metres per day.

Some more photos about the pollution of Cau Da River:

Nguyen Thi Che who lives in Tran Cung Street said that the smell worsens on hot days. She sells vegetables by the river

The river is being narrowed due to rubbish