VietNamNet Bridge - Despite repeated warnings and sanctions, the Lam Thao Fertilizers and Chemicals JSC is still discharging substandard waste water into the Red River, causing pollution and harming people’s lives along the river.

Lam Thao, operational since June 1962, was once the pride of Vietnam’s fertilizer industry as it produced fertilizer to serve agricultural production in northern provinces of Vietnam. It puts out 1.6 million tons of fertilizers of different kinds, such as superphosphate and NPK – S.

To maintain such a large-scale production, the plant has to use a variety of chemicals and input materials, from sulfur, apatite ore to sandstone, coal and additives. Therefore, the production generates high volume of waste, including dust, waste water and solid waste. Meanwhile, Lam Thao has not found any good solution to treat the waste in the last 50 years.

The fertilizer manufacturer does not have the license to discharge waste water into water sources, but it still has been discharging substandard waste water directly into the Red River. 

When reporters visited the river outlet in Son Thi Hamlet of Lam Thao Town days ago, the smell of the chemicals was overpowering.  

“The smell is from chemicals used by the plant. It is terrible. We have to wear 2-3 protective masks, but they don't help,” a local man said.

The fertilizer manufacturer does not have the license to discharge waste water into water sources, but it still has been discharging substandard waste water directly into the Red River.

“We also have worries about underground water. The waste water discharged directly to the Red River surely affects water sources,” he said.

A woman who lives next to Lam Thao, said she knows that Lam Thao provides fertilizer to serve her agricultural production, but she still is worried about the environment which has become seriously polluted.

“Dust and smells have been spreading. It is so unpleasant. But we are most worried about water quality. It turns very fishy after rains. But we still have to use it,” she said, adding that local people had many times lodged complaints to the local authorities and agencies, but nothing har changed.

The General Directorate of Environment on March 15, 2016, after pointing out a lot of violations committed by Lam Thao, released a decision on imposing VND440 million on the company.

On August 31, 2016, the Phu Tho provincial People’s Committee once again imposed a fine on violations of the regulations on environmental protection.

A senior executive of Lam Thao confirmed that Lam Thao has been discharging substandard waste water into the environment for the last 54 years and now does not have avlicense for discharging water, because the technology has become out of date.