Technology critical to Hanoi's urban flooding solution

Technology and innovation are crucial to protecting the capital city from heavy rains and urban flooding, Nguyen Trong Dong, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said on March 28.

Tran Thai Tong street in Cau Giay District flooded after heavy rain. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the founding of Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Co. Ltd., he said the company needs to speed up digitalization and improve performance and governance so that Hanoi can handle 50-55% of total sewage by 2025.

Dong said the company needs to review all wastewater management criteria and standards to improve its performance.

"The company must strengthen its cooperation with city departments and propose possible solutions to improve the city's wastewater treatment capacity," he added.

"The company should also develop plans to standardize the city's infrastructure network, especially the connection between local lakes and sewers."

The deputy mayor also asked the Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Company to work with local authorities and infrastructure investors to properly operate drainage systems so that the capital city can avoid urban flooding and protect the environment.

In addition, the company and relevant agencies will review the drainage and sewerage systems to ensure they meet the city's urban and infrastructure development progress by 2025. 

Phan Hoai Minh, General Director of the company, said that with 250 machines and vehicles and 53 fixed pumping stations, his company is able to meet the needs of the city and support other localities in emergencies.

He added that the company has digitized and integrated the drainage and sewerage systems built for all 12 districts of Hanoi into the Geographic Information System, a platform that consists of integrated geographical data. "The Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Company is looking for the participation and contribution of people and enterprises to participate in wastewater treatment," he said.

The Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Co. Ltd. received merit from the Hanoi People's Committee on March 28. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

"The company plans to build wastewater treatment plants in residential areas and install fat filtration machines in restaurants and households to keep sewers clean during heavy rain."

Since 2016, the Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Company has adopted the HSDC Maps application and integrated it with the city's web portal, allowing locals to access real-time data on rainfall, volume, and flooded areas to find the right routes to get around.

The company also dredged rivers and lakes to better capture rainwater and reduce the number of flooded areas in the city.

Urban flooding is one of Hanoi's most serious problems, resulting from rapid urbanization with construction sites and climate change.

The capital has experienced several floods due to heavy rains. The two-hour tropical downpour on May 29, 2022, also the heaviest rain in 40 years, caused flooding throughout the city.

In late October 2008, Hanoi was paralyzed for two weeks when a week of heavy rains submerged every street and road in the city.