An $80 million water and sanitation project funded by AusAID and the Vietnamese government has taken out the top award at the 2009 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards.
The Three Delta Towns Water Supply and Sanitation project, managed by GHD, has brought clean water to more than 280,000 people in the provincial towns of Ha Tien, Sa Dec and Bac Lieu. GHD worked closely with local residents to raise awareness of the links between clean water, effective sanitation and health, and to improve community practices.
The project involved the construction of water treatment plants and infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water, the construction of new drainage systems, and the ongoing replacement of uncontrolled waste dumps. It has improved the welfare of residents, rehabilitated and extended current facilities and services and has developed the capacity of local institutions and community groups.
Through the project's community household infrastructure program, more than 4,400 household septic tanks were built and 30 school sanitation facilities were constructed.
The condition of the local environment has improved as a direct result of the project.
According to AusAID's representative in Hanoi, Kerry Groves, the Three Delta Town Project has made a significant contribution to sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.
'The project has given many poor households and communities access to quality water and sanitation services for the first time. It is a wonderful example of the strong cooperation between Australia and Vietnam that is helping to improve the economic and social circumstances of poor people in the country,' Mr Groves said.
More about the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards [external website]
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