Requirements of Basic Water Resource Investigation Activities from July 1, 2024

Requirements for activities of baseline survey of water resources in Vietnam from July 1, 2024​ (Image from the internet)

Regarding this matter, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On May 16, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 53/2024/ND-CP detailing the implementation of certain articles of the Law on Water Resources.

Requirements for activities of baseline survey of water resources in Vietnam from July 1, 2024

Requirements for activities of baseline survey of water resources in Vietnam are specified in Article 4 of Decree 53/2024/ND-CP as follows:

Activities of baseline survey of water resources as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 9 of the Law on Water Resources 2023 must meet the following requirements:

- Activities of baseline survey of water resources are carried out based on plans, projects, and must be appraised, approved, and accepted by the competent state authority according to regulations.

- Based on the objectives, scope, and scale of the plans, projects, and specific characteristics of each Survey area, the approving authority shall decide the specific content, volume, and products of each plan, project on the principle of ensuring continuity and efficient, economical use of funds. The content, standards, and unit price of basic water resources Survey shall be implemented according to the technical guidelines of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

- Ensure synchronization, consistency, and meet the objectives of the plans, projects.

- Information, data, and results of basic water resources Survey must be reviewed and updated into the National Water Resources Information System and Database as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 84 of Decree 53/2024/ND-CP.

What are regulations on survey and assessment of water resources in Vietnam

Survey and assessment of water resources stipulated in Point a, Clause 3, Article 9 of the Law on Water Resources 2023 include the following activities:

(1) Survey and assessment of surface water resources conducted in rivers, streams, canals, ditches, creeks, lakes, ponds, natural and artificial lagoons

Survey and assessment of surface water resources conducted in rivers, streams, canals, ditches, creeks, lakes, ponds, natural, and artificial lagoons include one or a number of the following activities:

(i) Survey and assessment of the morphological characteristics of rivers, streams, canals, ditches, creeks, lakes, ponds, lagoons; Survey and assessment of the quantity and quality of surface water;

(ii) Survey and assessment of the status of degradation, depletion, pollution, and salinization of surface water sources;

(iii) Survey and assessment of the carrying capacity of surface water sources;

(iv) Survey and determination of minimum flow in rivers and streams; Survey and functional zoning of surface water sources.

(2) Survey and assessment of groundwater resources

Survey and assessment of groundwater resources include one or a number of the following activities:

(i) Survey and assessment of the reserves and quality of groundwater at scales of 1:200,000; 1:100,000; 1:50,000; 1:25,000;

(ii) Survey and search for groundwater sources;

(iii) Survey and assessment of the status of degradation, depletion, pollution, and salinization of groundwater sources;

(iv) Survey and zoning of restricted or prohibited groundwater extraction areas;

(v) Survey and determination of artificial groundwater recharge potential.

(3) Survey and assessment of the status of water resources exploitation, use, and wastewater discharge into water sources.

(4) Survey and determination of the list of lakes, ponds, lagoons not allowed to be filled in.

(5) Survey and assessment serving the creation of maps for drought and water shortage risk zoning.

(6) The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for organizing the implementation of Survey and assessment of water resources as follows:

- Survey and assessment for activities stipulated in Clauses (1), Points (i) and (iii)  Clause (2), Clause (3) and Clause (4) at the interprovincial level;

- Survey and assessment for activities stipulated in Point (ii) Clause (2) and Clause (5).

(7) The Provincial People's Committee is responsible for organizing the implementation of Survey and assessment of water resources as follows:

- Survey and assessment for activities stipulated in Clauses (1), Points (i) and (iii) Clause (2), Clause (3) and Clause (4) at the interprovincial level;

- Survey and assessment for activities stipulated in Points (iv) and (v) Clause (2).

(Article 5 of Decree 53/2024/ND-CP)

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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