Aiming to provide sufficient water for over 1,340 local residents and more than 2,890 teachers, students, and officials in Tả Phìn and Tả Sìn Thàng communes (Tủa Chùa district), a water supply project to repair and upgrade central water facilities in these communes and surrounding villages was launched with a total investment of VND 8 billion. The project was officially completed and handed over for use at the end of December 2024.

Gone are the days when water supply was intermittent or residents had to trek long distances during the dry season to collect water. Thousands of households in Tả Phìn and Tả Sìn Thàng now enjoy the convenience of clean water right at their doorsteps.

Thào A Páo, a resident of Tả Phìn and one of the beneficiaries of the project, shared: “During the dry season, we used to struggle to find water and often relied on natural springs. For bathing and laundry, we had to go down to the streams, which was exhausting. Now, with water piped directly into the village, daily life is much easier. We’ve also been taught how to use water efficiently and sustainably, such as planting trees near the water intake points to help preserve the source.”

In 2012, with funding from Program 134 (poverty reduction initiative), a water supply system was built for Huổi Cáy village, Mường Mùn commune, Tuần Giáo district. Equipped with five water tanks, the system has continued to serve around 30 households in the village effectively for nearly 13 years.

Recognizing the essential role of access to clean water, especially in rural areas, from 2021 to 2024, Tuần Giáo district invested in building, upgrading, and repairing seven centralized rural water supply systems. These efforts have raised the proportion of rural households with access to hygienic water to 96%, with nearly 90% of poor households now benefiting.

Similar projects are being prioritized not only in Tủa Chùa and Tuần Giáo, but also across the province. Alongside investments in transportation, electricity, and education, Điện Biên has channeled funding into building and upgrading centralized water supply systems in remote villages and hamlets. Between 2021 and 2024, the province built or upgraded 64 water supply projects with a total investment of over VND 153 billion, raising the total number of centralized rural water facilities in the province to 1,048.

These systems have greatly alleviated water shortages, particularly in mountainous and disadvantaged areas. They have helped improve public health and living standards, while also contributing to economic development, political stability, and public safety. By the end of 2024, 92.86% of rural households in the province had access to hygienic water (exceeding the 2025 target by 7.86%), while 14.62% had access to clean water meeting national quality standards.

While the benefits of these centralized water systems are undeniable, actual operations have revealed some challenges. A number of systems have deteriorated, become inefficient, or ceased to function altogether. The causes include a lack of routine maintenance, limited protection of water sources and facilities, damaged or stolen intake pipes, and insufficiently trained or part-time management personnel.

A recent oversight mission by the provincial People’s Council, as part of a thematic review of water supply policy implementation from 2021-2024, found that 199 systems across the province were no longer operational due to aging, damage, or disrepair, and had yet to be formally decommissioned. Another 237 systems were functioning poorly, with no allocated budget for repairs or upgrades. Many rural facilities are underutilized relative to their design capacity, and management teams often lack the skills or capacity to operate them effectively.

To ensure the long-term effectiveness of these water systems and to further increase access to hygienic water in rural areas, local authorities must reassess existing facilities, improve management capacity, and establish mechanisms for better system operation. For damaged or non-operational facilities, liquidation should be considered and carried out in accordance with regulations, provided that the necessary conditions are met. Simultaneously, awareness campaigns are needed to promote community responsibility in protecting water sources, maintaining infrastructure, and using water efficiently.