The 225 km long Saigon River in the historical city of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam has been the pollution hotspot of the city for a very long time. The river has in recent years come under the spotlight from the city and regional authorities, by failing to meet water safety standards.
It serves as one of the main water sources for the city’s water plant but has become contaminated with domestic and industrial waste dumping.
The Sai Gon River is contaminated with garbage and wastewater. Photo by Diep Duc Minh
The irrigation canal system of Saigon River is also a significant freshwater recharge source for the groundwater aquifers in the canals basin, located in the west and southwest of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).