In 2015, water use in the Mekong Delta was 25 times than in 1990. In turn, coastal areas with limited freshwater in the dry season have become increasingly reliant on groundwater.

A 2024 paper surveyed households in the Tra Minh province of the Mekong Delta about their drinking water sources. What did they find?

High income households in the coastal area purchased more bottled water, diversifying their sources of water. Households without bottled water depend heavily on groundwater, making them more vulnerable to contamination and depletion. Fewer sources of water means higher vulnerability.

How to fix: Education on issues like groundwater depletion and salinization, training in water resources planning, and proactive development of improved regulation scheme