Vietnam: Determining the scope of water source protection corridors for natural lakes

According to Decree No. 43/2015/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government, scope of water source protection corridors for natural lakes and man-made lakes in urban centers, concentrated residential quarters, and other water sources is prescribed as follows:

- For natural lakes and man-made lakes in urban centers and concentrated residential quarters; big lakes and ponds with regulating functions in other areas, the scope of water source protection corridors must not be smaller than 10 m from the bank edge.

- For natural lagoons and water sources which are related to religious or belief activities, have high value in biodiversity, culture conservation and natural ecosystem protection and development, the scope of water source protection corridors must not be smaller than 30 m from the bank edge.

- If water sources are located within nature conservation zones or the protection scope of historical or cultural relics, the laws on nature conservation and the protection of historical and cultural relics shall be complied with.

Besides, the scope of water source protection corridors for hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs is as follows:

- For hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs with a holding capacity of more than one billion cubic meters (1,000,000,000 m3) or of between ten million cubic meters (10,000,000 m3) and one billion cubic meters (1,000,000,000 m3) but located in concentrated residential quarters or areas with defense or security works, the scope of water source protection corridors must cover the area from the boundary with a level equal to the highest level corresponding to the designed flood to the boundary with a level equal to the reservoir bed ground clearance level.

- For other hydroelectric or irrigation reservoirs, the scope of water source protection corridors must cover the area from the boundary with a level equal to the height of the dam top to the boundary with a level equal to the reservoir bed ground clearance level.

View more details at Decree No. 43/2015/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government, effective from July 01, 2015.

Le Hai

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