The project started in 2007 with a pilot project in Kieu Ky commune (population 10,000 located 20 km from city centre) to address water pollution problems caused by handicraft cottage industries (gold leaf hammering, paper recycling, tanneries, etc.) as well as by the presence of one of Gia Lam district’s solid waste disposal facilities.

IMV partnered with the International Solidarity Organisation EAST-Vietnam to identify and do groundwork for the operations, as well as to conduct awareness-raising campaigns on the use of water and on routine hygiene practices (Information-Education-Communication activities).

After the needs study and evaluation of the financial capabilities of the community, it was decided in 2008 to hook the commune up to the city’s water supply network. On this aspect, the Île-de-France Region provided funding complementary to the work done by the People’s Committee. With regard to sanitary drainage, it was decided to test the operation of a semi-collective water treatment station. The project received assistance from the Asian Development Bank to put in place a management and maintenance system to ensure the longevity of the installed equipment.

In 2009, a third component was added for solid waste sortation, first to three, then to six communes in Gia Lam district in order to improve operations of the composting station located on the Kieu Ky disposal site.