A ribbon of sorrow is what Sông Cầu Bảy has become. Many years ago, Sông Cầu Bảy flowed, serving as a vital resource. It irrigated around 400 hectares of agricultural land. It also drained excess water preventing floods. Today, Sông Cầu Bảy is a shadow of its former self.
Sông Cầu Bảy stretches about 12.5 to 13.9 kilometers. It winds through Long Biên and Gia Lâm. The river eventually empties into the Đuống River system. It also connects to the North Hưng Hải irrigation system. Sông Cầu Bảy once began at Kim Quan Lake. It ended at the Xuân Thủy dam in Kiêu Kỵ.
Now, Sông Cầu Bảy faces severe pollution. The water is black. It emits a foul odor. Waste floats on the surface. This pollution greatly affects the lives of nearby residents. Sông Cầu Bảy no longer supports agriculture. It cannot fulfill its natural drainage role.
The pollution stems from residential and industrial wastewater. Many businesses discharge untreated waste directly into Sông Cầu Bảy. This has turned the water black and smelly. It has also harmed the community’s health. The beauty of the area is destroyed by Sông Cầu Bảy.
Authorities in Hanoi have tried to improve Sông Cầu Bảy. However, these efforts have been insufficient. Waste continues to pour into the river. Long Biên is considered the section with the most direct discharge.
In Sài Đồng, the water is always black and reeks. Bubbles rise to the surface in hot weather. Swarms of flies and mosquitoes thrive. Many creatures that once lived here have disappeared due to Sông Cầu Bảy.
People downstream in Gia Lâm also suffer from pollution. Waste from upstream Long Biên flows towards them. Gia Lâm authorities have closed floodgates to stop the flow of waste. But this measure has not significantly reduced pollution in Sông Cầu Bảy.
Lê Quang Thoại from Trâu Quỳ recalls the days when farmers used the river to water crops. Now, the water is unusable. Attempts to use the water for irrigation have failed. Plants wither and die quickly.
Đặng Văn Hùng and Lê Văn Bách from Đa Tốn say the water remains black and foul-smelling. The wind carries the stench throughout the villages. Pumping stations lie idle. They cannot operate with such polluted water from Sông Cầu Bảy.
The pollution in Sông Cầu Bảy is alarming. It poses a threat to health and agriculture. Cleaning the river is difficult. It requires coordination between districts and agencies.
Long Biên and Gia Lâm generate a lot of waste. It is difficult to control. Most wastewater flows into rivers like Sông Cầu Bảy. Gia Lâm alone discharges 3.14 cubic meters of residential waste into the river daily. This comes from 31,047 people.
Gia Lâm launched a campaign to clean Sông Cầu Bảy. They mobilized 1,000 people. They collected trash and dredged the river. The Women’s Union planted flowers to improve the landscape.
Nguyễn Ngọc Thuần from Gia Lâm emphasized the importance of public awareness and participation. However, Gia Lâm is downstream. Waste from upstream will continue to pollute Sông Cầu Bảy. A coordinated effort is needed to truly save Sông Cầu Bảy.
Long Biên officials want to renovate the riverbanks. But they lack the funds. Phạm Ngọc Hân stated that his company can only report issues. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment must handle the illegal discharge points.
Nguyễn Ngọc Thuần suggests dredging Sông Cầu Bảy with city funds. Gia Lâm will improve the riverbanks with local funds. Improving Sông Cầu Bảy requires a comprehensive approach.
In 2017, Hanoi approved a project to collect and treat wastewater. The project includes building treatment plants. These plants aim to treat wastewater from Long Biên and Gia Lâm. The goal is to complete these plants by 2020. This would greatly improve water quality in Sông Cầu Bảy.
Hanoi also requires stricter monitoring of industrial wastewater. They will install automatic water monitoring stations on Sông Cầu Bảy. These measures aim to reduce pollution and protect the river.
To prevent further pollution, Hanoi will increase inspections and penalize violations. They will also control the issuance of wastewater discharge permits. The city approved a project to renovate and upgrade Sông Cầu Bảy. Gia Lâm will collect and treat residential wastewater.
Solving the pollution problem in Sông Cầu Bảy is a difficult task. It requires investment and coordination. Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Lê Tuấn Định, emphasized the need for collective effort. With comprehensive solutions, Sông Cầu Bảy can be saved. It can fulfill its function for agriculture and contribute to the beauty of Hanoi.