The Law on Environmental Protection regulates that companies that discharge industrial solid wastes and/or waste water must register with local authorities to ensure proper treatment of their disposals.

"The number of registered firms remains quite low, as the cost of waste treatment is quite high for many enterprises. On average, an enterprise needs VND6 million (US$364) to treat one tonne of waste," says Viet.

"Many small-sized enterprises that have small amounts of waste—some kilogrammes per year—find it hard to register, as none of the treatment companies want to sign contracts with them," Viet adds.

Previously, the municipal department had held meetings to require factory owners to fill in their registrations for dumping toxic waste in 15 industrial zones in the city when the Government announced a list of hazardous chemicals present in industrial waste.

The Hao Duong joint-stock tanning company in the Hiep Phuoc Industrial Zone in Nha Be District was found discharging 2,500cu.m of untreated waste water into Dong Dien River each day.

According to the head of the company, Tang Van Duc, more newly-built workshops have increased the amount of toxic waste. The old treatment system cannot handle the volume while the new one are still under construction.

Viet says that registration is voluntary, but those who are found violating environmental regulations will be fined between VND10-15 million ($606-909) according to decree 81/2006/ND-CP by the Government.

Last year, department inspectors conducted checks and fined hundreds of enterprises. The fines amounted to several billion dong, according to Viet.

The department is planning to conduct registrations for the rest of the enterprises this year. Meanwhile, inspections will be carried out to punish violations.

According to the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment, nearly 12,000 industrial enterprises are estimated to discharge more than 100 tonnes of toxic solid waste per day.

VietNamNet/VNS