Strictly control waste sources to proactively prevent pollution

Centralized wastewater treatment area of enterprises

Actively monitor industries with high risk of pollution

Currently, the province has 157 production and business establishments belonging to 14/17 types with high risk of causing environmental pollution, according to Appendix II of Decree No. 08/2022 and Decree No. 05/2025 of the government. These are types of establishments that are required to implement strict environmental management measures due to the nature of production that easily generates solid waste, wastewater and toxic emissions.

Specifically, the textile and dyeing industry has up to 42 establishments in operation, accounting for the largest proportion in the group of pollution risks. Next is the waste recycling industry (29 establishments), electroplating (26 establishments), chemicals (10 establishments) and electronic components manufacturing (10 establishments). In addition, there are also facilities producing paper from recycled materials, producing cement, processing food, slaughtering and raising livestock on an industrial scale, etc.

These types of businesses not only pose a high risk of pollution but also generate large amounts of waste continuously. Therefore, monitoring, inspecting and enforcing compliance with environmental standards is a key task of the relevant authorities. In order to strengthen control, the province requires enterprises with large wastewater flows to install automatic and continuous monitoring systems and connect data directly to the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Up to now, many large enterprises such as Formosa Taffeta Vietnam Co., Ltd., Shundao, S&S Fabrics, ChanCo, Dong Phuong Knitting, Sapporo Vietnam, Viet Cuong Canned Goods, LeLong Vietnam, etc. have completed the installation of wastewater monitoring systems.

In the field of emissions, the province has 9 units in the high-risk industry group that must install automatic dust and emission monitoring systems. To date, 8/9 enterprises have completed transmitting data to the authorities. Only 1 remaining facility is in the process of installing the system.

Most enterprises operate wastewater and emission treatment systems well. The quality of waste after treatment mostly meets national technical standards. However, there are still cases when enterprises discharge emissions exceeding the permitted threshold. When detecting violations through monitoring data, the department will immediately send a warning document and request the enterprise to correct according to regulations.

In 2023, 4 enterprises were found to discharge emissions exceeding the standards. This number increased to 6 enterprises in 2024. Notably, the violating units have all seriously accepted, promptly corrected, and reported the results of the handling. In addition to controlling through the automatic monitoring system, the province also conducts many direct inspections and audits at production facilities. Especially sensitive industries such as textile dyeing, electroplating, and waste treatment.

In 2024, the province conducted inspections and audits of 70 organizations and 1 individual. Thereby, 44 organizations and 1 individual were found to have violated environmental protection regulations. Among the violating establishments, most were in the group of industries with high risk of causing pollution. The authorities issued 44 decisions to impose administrative sanctions with a total amount of nearly 4,941 billion VND; at the same time, they required the violating units to take drastic measures to prevent the recurrence of prolonged pollution.

Positive changes in green development

The above efforts have brought about remarkable results. In the past, the province has not had any hot spots of environmental conflicts and insecurity and disorder. Notably, in the Provincial Green Index (PGI) in 2023, Long An made a breakthrough when it increased by 16 places compared to 2022 and ranked 12th in 2023.

Moreover, Long An continues to record a remarkable step forward in its efforts to develop green and sustainable when, in 2024, the province is ranked 6th in the country with a total of 27.56 points (up 6 ranks and up 4.49 points compared to 2023).

The Provincial Green Index assessment contributes to supporting provincial and municipal authorities in assessing and improving the quality and effectiveness of environmental governance in localities. The PGI includes 4 component indicators: minimizing environmental pollution and negative impacts of climate change; ensuring compliance with minimum environmental standards; leadership role of provincial authorities in promoting Green practices; policies and services to support businesses in environmental protection. This strong increase in ranking shows the continuous efforts of the provincial authorities, businesses and people in implementing environmental protection solutions, promoting green growth and sustainable development.

According to the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment - Vo Minh Thanh, the management and supervision of high-risk pollution sources will continue to be a focus in the coming time. The province will increase the application of information technology in automatic monitoring and supervision, improve inspection and handling capacity to ensure deterrence and effective management. With a consistent viewpoint on the motto of sustainable development, it is absolutely not to trade off the environment for economic growth.

The province also requires enterprises to enhance social responsibility and fully invest in environmental treatment systems before expanding production scale. Pollution control not only helps enterprises develop sustainably but also protects the living environment of local communities, ensuring security and order in the area.

Implementing Plan No. 135, dated March 1, 2025 of the Ministry of Public Security on "General review, combating and handling crimes, law violations and advising on handling establishments, areas and locations with serious environmental pollution," recently, the Provincial People's Committee issued a document directing all levels and sectors to carry out key tasks and solutions to strengthen prevention, detection, and handling of establishments, areas and locations with environmental pollution. Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Nguyen Minh Lam assigned the Provincial Police to effectively implement Plan No. 135 according to its functions and tasks, in conjunction with the actual situation of violations in the area. Meanwhile, all levels and sectors are assigned to coordinate with the Provincial Police to review, share, provide information, lists of polluting facilities, areas, locations of environmental pollution and monitoring data to serve the work of preventing and combating crimes and violations of environmental laws.

According to Colonel Lam Minh Hong - Director of the Provincial Police, following the direction, the Provincial Police has developed a comprehensive program, promoted professional measures, reviewed and strictly handled pollution hot spots, resolutely transferred criminal proceedings to acts with signs of crime with the motto "Do not trade the environment for economic benefits".

The consistent viewpoint is "Handling one case to warn an entire region, a field", "Do not apply administrative measures instead of criminal proceedings". Resolutely do not let the formation of hot spots, complications of environmental pollution, causing public outrage and negatively affecting human health./.

By Le Duc - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/kiem-soat-chat-nguon-thai-chu-dong-phong-ngua-o-nhiem-a195263.html