Piloting a Safe Approach to Protecting Water Sources from Climate Change Impacts in Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa

Project Overview

• Duration: 2015
• Funder: World Health Organization (WHO)
• Implementing agency: Center for Environmental and Health Studies (CEHS)
• Location: Nha Trang City, Khánh Hòa province

Introduction

The project was carried out as Vietnam progressively developed and implemented the Water Safety Plan (WSP) to ensure the safety of water production, supply and use. Since 2006, WHO has supported Vietnam in rolling out this initiative, working with the Ministry of Construction and the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association. By the end of 2011, many water utilities nationwide had developed and implemented WSPs, with Khánh Hòa selected as one of the localities for a pilot model.

Water safety continues to be affected by factors such as climate change, water pollution, and the risk of saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. The pilot project in Nha Trang combined a climate-resilient approach to water source protection with strengthening WSP implementation effectiveness, involving Khanh Hoa Water Supply and Sewerage Joint Stock Company (KHAWASSCO).

CEHS's Role

CEHS was the selected consultant, responsible for the survey, developing guidance materials, organizing training, and consolidating results and lessons learned to support scale-up.

Key Activities

• Surveying and assessing the water source situation, water supply system, and WSP implementation at KHAWASSCO; identifying climate change impacts and water risks.
• Developing guidance materials on integrating climate change into the WSP, water source protection safety plans, and communication training materials.
• Working with the Department of Construction, the provincial WSP Steering Committee and KHAWASSCO to review and finalize the climate-integrated WSP Handbook.
• Organizing training for managers and KHAWASSCO staff; supporting KHAWASSCO in developing a proposal to ADB for early-warning system equipment.

Key Results

• Developed and finalized guidance materials on integrating climate change into the WSP, communication materials and community leaflets; finalized the climate-integrated WSP Handbook.
• Organized 3 training courses with over 50 participants from departments, agencies and KHAWASSCO; participant knowledge improved markedly after training, with self-assessment scores of about 3.7–4.5/5.
• Supported development of a proposal to ADB for a water quality early-warning system, with proposed equipment funding of USD 93,027.
• The pilot model was assessed as feasible, sustainable, and having potential for replication in other localities implementing climate-resilient Water Safety Plans.