At the riverhead in Tan Binh District, the canal is heavily contaminated with garbage and discarded construction materials.

In District 6, many people living in slums have set up makeshift toilets along the canal’s banks.

The People’s Committee of District 6 announced that concentration levels of contaminants in the canal have continued to increase.

At Hoa Binh, Ong Buong and Ruot Ngua bridge areas, the level of contamination is “alarm-worthy,” said the survey team.

While pollution in the canal continues to worsen, several intended clean-up projects remain on paper.

According to Hoang, the city is seeking Official Development Assistance capital for the projects at an estimated cost of more than US$200 million.

Reported by Minh Nam