According to the Department of Water Resources Management, World Water Day 2022 is themed "Groundwater - Making the invisible visible". The theme "Groundwater" aims to draw attention to the hidden water resources in the deep soil layers.
This year's World Water Day activities will highlight the important role groundwater plays in water systems and sanitation, agriculture, industry, ecology and adaptation to climate change.
In Viet Nam, groundwater plays an increasingly important role in socio-economic development. An investigation by the National Center for Planning and Investigation of Water Resources shows that the total estimated groundwater resource of the whole country is about 91 billion m3/year (250.7 million m3/day), of which fresh water is about 69 billion m3/year (189.3 million m3/day). The reserve of fresh water that has been licensed for exploitation is 3.6 billion m3/year (9.9 million m3/day), which can be exploited is 22.3 billion m3/year (61.2 million m3/day).
However, currently groundwater is under great pressure on water level decline/aquifer depletion; increasing pollution, salinization of aquifers and subsidence, deformation of the terrain surface.
The message of World Water Day aims to spread the word about the discovery, protection and sustainable use of groundwater resources. This is central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population.
Hai Dang
