PROJECT LAUNCH WORKSHOP AND SATREPS LABORATORY INAUGURATION: “DEVELOPING A WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM ADAPTED TO POLLUTED WATER SOURCES”

On March 13, 2024, the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUE) held a workshop to launch and inaugurate the SATREPS project laboratory:  “Development of a water supply system adapted to polluted water sources,”  implemented by HUE and Nagasaki University, Japan, over a period of 5 years (2023-2028) with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Attending the workshop from the Japanese side were Ms. Uno Junko – Representative of JICA Japan; Mr. Shinoda Takanobu – Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam; Prof. Dr. Takahiro Fujioka – Nagasaki University, Project Leader from Japan, along with experts who are members of the Project.

Representing Vietnam were Mr. Tran Hoai Anh – Deputy Director of the Department of Technical Infrastructure, Ministry of Construction; Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Diep – President of the Vietnam Water Supply and Drainage Association; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung – Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang – Vice Rector, Project Director; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh – Vice President of the Vietnam Water Supply and Drainage Association, Head of the Water Supply and Drainage Department; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Viet Nga – Head of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Project Leader on the Vietnamese side; Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung – Head of the International Cooperation Department; representatives from Water Supply and Drainage Companies in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Hai Duong provinces; the University of Water Resources, etc., along with experts and members of the Project.

Speaking at the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung – Rector of the University – expressed his delight that the SATRPES Project was proposed by Hanoi University of Civil Engineering and Nagasaki University (NU) of Japan, in coordination with important partners of both countries such as JICA, JST, the Ministry of Construction, water supply and drainage companies in the provinces, and partner universities.

The SATREPS project,  “Development of Water Supply Systems Adapting to Polluted Water Sources,”  is a key project funded by the Japanese Government through JST and JICA. It plays a significant role in protecting water resources, safeguarding public health, and promoting sustainable economic, social, and environmental development for the nation. Simultaneously, the project provides an opportunity for lecturers and researchers at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering to further enhance their teaching and scientific research in the fields of environment and water environment.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung – Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, delivered a speech at the conference.

Associate Professor Hoang Tung also pledged that Hanoi University of Civil Engineering will always support and provide the necessary human resources and facilities for the project to achieve its set goals. In addition, Associate Professor Hoang Tung expressed his hope that after successful research, with the support of the Ministry of Construction, VWSA, and other companies and partners, this advanced water treatment technology with a reasonable cost will be put into practice.

Mr. Shinoda Takanobu, Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, delivered a speech at the workshop.

Following this, Mr. Shinoda Takanobu, Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, expressed his confidence in the potential for cooperation between the two sides and his expectations for the significant impact the project will have in the future. He also expressed his belief that, based on a deep and mutually trusting strategic cooperation, the two countries will further strengthen cooperation in many areas.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Tran Hoai Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Technical Infrastructure, Ministry of Construction, highly appreciated this cooperation project between Hanoi University of Civil Engineering and Nagasaki University, Japan. Mr. Tran Hoai Anh stated that Vietnam has approximately 750 clean water plants with a total capacity of 11.2 million m3/day, but this is still insufficient to meet the needs of the people. Furthermore, rapid urbanization in recent years and water pollution have led to many negative consequences. Therefore, the research results will be extremely important in ensuring safe water supply for the people. Mr. Tran Hoai Anh expressed his hope for the successful implementation of the project and for more effective cooperation projects between the two sides in the future.

Mr. Tran Hoai Anh – Deputy Director of the Department of Technical Infrastructure, Ministry of Construction, delivered a speech at the workshop.

Introducing an overview of the Project and its expected results, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Viet Nga – Project Leader from Vietnam – stated that water pollution is currently on the rise and is an alarming issue in Vietnam and worldwide, with water sources being severely polluted. The overall goal is to develop advanced, cost-effective water treatment technologies in Vietnam to ensure access to clean water for drinking and daily life. However, the cost of treating polluted water to meet quality requirements is often very high. Therefore, the Project was established to develop a water treatment system that achieves the goal of safe water supply, reasonable costs, and stable operation in developing countries. The aim is to develop a water treatment system using advanced nanofiltration membrane technology with low energy and chemical consumption, and an online water quality monitoring system with the criteria of significantly reducing costs while consistently ensuring safe water supply.

The project has five main components: establishing clogging control techniques for nanofiltration membranes, developing submerged membrane components, and creating monitoring tools to ensure safe water quality. It also includes verifying the effectiveness of submerged nanofiltration membrane systems and building a business market for these systems.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung – Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, together with representatives from JICA Vietnam, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the SATREPS Laboratory.

Associate Professor Hoang Tung – Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, presented flowers to congratulate Mr. Shinoda Takanobu – Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, for his partnership with the Project.