Oil scam continues to be detected at Dam Bai Lake, near the entrance of the Song Da Water Investment JSC’s water treatment system on October 8. — VNA/VNS Photo

VIWASUPCO claimed to have solved the water contamination issue and the water was now safe for daily use. The company added that the cause of the incident had been defined.

According to VIWASUPCO, the firm has mobilised its workers and hired SOS Environment Joint Stock Company to clean the canal leading to the water reservoirs as well as wash pipes. A new filter system had also been installed.

The company admitted to a lack of experience in dealing with the problem, which had affected local residents.

The company also offered to supply residents with free water for one month in order to compensate for any difficulties faced during the episode.

On October 10, residents in some districts in Hanoi reported a smell similar to burning plastic coming from their tap water supplied by the plant.

On October 15, authorities in Hanoi announced their investigation results which showed that tap water had styrene levels of between 1.3-3.6 times higher than normal in some areas.

Around 250,000 households in Hanoi are using tap water supplied by the Da River Water Plant.

Police in the northern province of Hoa Binh on October 23 said they have arrested and prosecuted three men for dumping waste oil in Ky Son District which contaminated tap water at the Da River Water Plant. Investigations showed that nearly nine tonnes of waste oil were dumped at the stream near a reservoir of the water plant on October 8.