Location: Hanoi districts of Thanh Xuân, Hà Đông, Nam Từ Liêm, Hoàng Mai, Cầu Giấy,Thanh Trì, Hoài Đức, Thanh Oai, Đan Phượng and Ứng Hòa
Event: Local media recently reported water contamination in some of Hanoi’s water supply in the western and southwestern districts of Thanh Xuan, Ha Dong, Nam Tu Liem, Hoang Mai, Cau Giay,Thanh Tri, Hoai Duc, Thanh Oai, Dan Phuong and Ung Hoa.
- On October 9-10, residents in Ha Dong, Hoang Mai, Nam Tu Liem Districts of Hanoi reported that their tap water smelled bad and they had to buy bottled water for cooking and bathing their children.
- Hanoi authorities announced the cause was waste oil dumped into a nearby stream, which spilled into the Song Da water company reservoir in Hoa Binh Province.
- Initial testing by local authorities showed that water from the Song Da water processing facility has higher than recommended levels of styrene (1.3 – 3.6 times higher), a chemical compound used in making plastics and rubber.
- Hanoi authorities warned residents in affected areas not to use this water for cooking and drinking.
Actions to Take:
- Monitor the local news and the Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment website for updates.
- Tap water in Vietnam is not potable for drinking or cooking. Avoid consuming tap water.
- Drink bottled water.
- Seek medical attention if you fell unwell.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Hanoi 024-3850-5000, acshanoi@state.gov | U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City 028-3520-4200, hcmcacsmail@state.gov
- State Department, Consular Affairs, 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Vietnam Country Specific Information on state.gov.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive security updates.
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