15.4.1. Water discharge guidelines and standards

In Vietnam, the National Technical Regulation on Domestic Wastewater (QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT) issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment serves as a mandatory standard to maintain water quality, protect ecosystems, wildlife, and ensure human health and well-being.

This regulation defines two levels of discharge standards:

+ Column A: Applied to wastewater discharged into water sources used for domestic purposes, requiring strict treatment to protect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

+ Column B: Applied to wastewater discharged into urban drainage systems or water sources not used for domestic purposes. This is the common standard applied to residential areas, schools, and administrative zones, ensuring sustainable land use and urban environmental protection.

Read more: National Technical Regulation on Domestic and Municipal Wastewater here.

To comply with these environmental regulations, UEH has developed a centralized domestic wastewater treatment system operating in accordance with QCVN 14:2008/BTNMT – Column B, suitable for discharge into the urban environment. The system ensures that the quality of the treated water meets the national standard before being released, thereby conserving water and soil resources and contributing to sustainable ecosystem management.

Results of water quality analysis demonstrate that UEH’s wastewater treatment system functions effectively and even exceeds national requirements:

+ TSS (Total Suspended Solids) reduced from 150 mg/l to 40 mg/l – 60% lower than the permitted threshold (100 mg/l).

+ BOD₅ (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) decreased from 250 mg/l to 20 mg/l, achieving 92% treatment efficiency.

+ Ammonium (N–NH₄⁺) reduced from 20 mg/l to 5 mg/l, below the 10 mg/l limit.

+ Total Coliform decreased from 8,000 MPN/100 ml to 3,000 MPN/100 ml, lower than the 5,000 MPN/100 ml limit under Vietnamese standards

These results confirm that UEH effectively controls the quality of its treated wastewater, ensuring ecological safety, preventing soil and water degradation, and promoting a healthy urban ecosystem. In addition, every quarter, UEH collects post-treatment water samples and submits them to an independent accredited testing agency for analysis, ensuring transparency and maintaining consistent quality in accordance with national environmental regulations.

Wastewater analysis results sheet (The first quarter)

UEH’s wastewater treatment system contributes to the conservation of local ecosystems and supports the sustainable management of urban environmental resources

Open related links: 

1. QCVN 14 : 2008/BTNMT NATIONAL TECHNICAL REGULATION ON DOMESTIC WASTEWATER – https://aigavn.com.vn/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/16_2008_QD-BTNMT_PROMULGATION-OF-NATIONAL-TECHNICAL-REGULATION-ON-ENVIRONMENT-E.pdf 

2. DESIGN DESCRIPTION of construction works and supply and installation of wastewater treatment plant equipment –  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wvKYZY54b9uWyJsLx2k5_g_UlWb-o07e/view?usp=sharing 

3. Wastewater analysis results sheet (The first quarter) – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R5CzN2urDDZmy70j6wdE5_LhZUy7uCfa/view 

4. Wastewater analysis results sheet (The second quarter) – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LOwS8776MVncYp5MsDcBC8i_rKgxrrd_/view?usp=drive_link 

5. Wastewater analysis results sheet (The third quarter) – https://drive.google.com/file/d/13DROwvSxOutWTYUq2FFC3zeVrsLPIm5s/view?usp=drive_link 

6. Wastewater analysis results sheet (The fourth quarter) – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zxwUCJv_xwtGriovIWOWkSItjJGOArJT/view?usp=drive_link