Regulations on Groundwater Exploration in Vietnam

Regulations on Groundwater Exploration in Vietnam

The regulations on groundwater exploration are as follows:

(1) Prior to constructing groundwater extraction works or adjusting the extraction flow rate of the works to increase by more than 25% of the flow rate stipulated in the issued groundwater extraction permit, in cases where supplementary extraction wells are drilled, the investor must conduct exploration to assess the quantity, quality, and extraction capability, and must obtain a groundwater exploration permit, except for cases of groundwater extraction not requiring a permit.

(2) Organizations or individuals undertaking groundwater exploration works must obtain a groundwater drilling practice license from the competent state authority as prescribed by Decree 54/2024/ND-CP.

(3) During the exploration process, organizations or individuals conducting groundwater exploration works have the obligations to:

- Implement measures to ensure the safety of people and exploration works;

- Avoid causing land subsidence, salinity intrusion, or contamination of aquifers;

- Implement other measures to protect groundwater and the environment.

(4) The investor of the groundwater exploration works has the obligations to:

- Coordinate with organizations or individuals conducting groundwater exploration works to inspect and supervise the implementation of the regulations in section (3), and if violations are detected, to immediately halt the exploration activities;

- In the event of an incident, promptly address it, and if any damage is caused, to compensate according to legal regulations;

- Submit an exploration result report to the receiving and appraisal agency as stipulated in Article 16 of Decree 54/2024/ND-CP;

- Within 30 days after the conclusion of the exploration, update the exploration results information and data into the national water resources information system and database as prescribed.

Decree 54/2024/ND-CP comes into effect from July 1, 2024.

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