Drainage workers grapple with waste oil, grease clogging sewers in Ho Chi Minh City
Thursday, November 30, 2023, 12:40 GMT+7
Waste oil, fat, and grease directly discarded into sewers in Ho Chi Minh City is tormenting local drainage workers who are tasked with working amongst the foul smells and blockages caused by such wastes.
Drainage workers said they were tired of fat, oil, and grease building up in sewers.
Though some parts of the city have begun using machines to clean sewers, there are still some areas where the job must be done manually.
In certain places, workers must travel deep into the sewers and use crowbars to remove the build-up of waste oil, fat, and grease, according to Le Van Hay, a local drainage worker.
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| A worker uses a specialized machine to suck waste oil, fat, and grease from a sewer in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre |
A report by the Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Management Center under the municipal Department of Construction showed that waste fat, oil, and grease deposits in sewers hinder the flow of wastewater, increase the risk of flooding when it rains, and cause unpleasant smells.
The Department of Construction has tasked related authorities to supervise restaurants’ wastewater discharge.
The city has also installed new manhole covers to improve the water flows, prevent garbage from drifting into sewers, and reduce foul odors.
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| A drainage worker goes into a manhole to clear waste oil, fat, and grease in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre |
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| The message 'Do not leave garbage here - Garbage clogs sewers and causes floods' is emblazoned on a manhole cover in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre |
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| A drainage worker’s hands are full of waste oil and grease after he emerges from a sewer in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre |
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| Phan Van Ut Nho, a drainage worker, said, “The work is hard, but we always encourage each other to do a good job. We hope residents will not leave garbage or pour waste oil and grease into sewers.” Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre |
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