Vulnerability assessment of freshwater resources in island to environment change a case study in phu quoc island kien giang province

Quoc Island will be essential to identify potential risks for fresh water resources on the island and to support decision making; Therefore, detecting early threats to gain insight susta

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Problem statement

Water is our most precious resource However, in recent years, water has become degraded in both quantity and quality This situation is placing challenges and requires a worldwide effort in the use and sustainable management of water resources The provision of water supply and sanitation has improved living conditions; in addition, the implementation of social justice and educational approaches, especially for women and children, are also contributing to the success

of the enactment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

The development status of the Island, the isolation characteristic, the distance between neighboring islands, between islands and the mainland, the change of the environment, climate change, changes in rainfall, etc are the challenges of water resources management The Island, located in the lower floor of the Southwestern area, is a vulnerable area to climate change and sea level rise Furthermore, the island is affected by the early phase of the El Nino and La Ninas The Island is a key economic zone with typical activities, such as: fishing, oil and gas exploitation, maritime services, tourism as well as it is adjacent to the other countries in the region

Especially, Phu Quoc Island is the largest island in the coastal island system

in Vietnam The current status of the economic development has created a significant social pressure on the island regarding both system resources and the environmental management There is no rational planning and efficient use of natural resources, although the extraction (water, oil, gas ) has been carried out for

a long time Therefore, freshwater resources in Phu Quoc Island are vitally important, and have a direct impact on daily life, and the development of the island The assessment of freshwater resource vulnerability in Vietnam is still very limited, particularly in the Island A vulnerability assessment of freshwater resources in Phu

Quoc Island will be essential to identify potential risks for fresh water resources on the island and to support decision making; Therefore, detecting early threats to gain insight sustainable solutions to the management of freshwater resources on an island, where the exploitation of freshwater resources management is still problematic

Understanding the vulnerability of freshwater resources of the Islands, therefore, is important to ensure sustainable water management in the region Uses

of water have an intimate relationship with land use and impact on ecosystems dealing with integrated water resource management The integrated water resources management will help to use and to protect natural resources In order to effectively implement integrated water resource management, the necessity of understanding and the ability to assess the vulnerability of water resources are highlighted Performing a vulnerability assessment of freshwater will highlight gaps in information and identify the most influential factors affecting vulnerability, in addition to raising public awareness The availability of such an evaluation would provide decision-makers with the option to evaluate and modify existing policies and to implement measures to improve the management of water resources

Different approaches to vulnerability assessment of water resources and hydrological systems have been developed for a long time with both advantages and disadvantages One of the most effective responses, vulnerability assessment has recently been developed by the United Nations Environment Program and by Packing University This approach is based on the available resources to meet the production, use, environmental pressures mitigation and capacity development and management It highlights the vulnerability factors such as climate change, population growth, economic development, and management, etc of vulnerable freshwater resources Currently, this method is implemented in the Pacific Islands,

in West and South Asia, in the Mekong River basin, and in several other river basins in Vietnam However, the vulnerability assessment of freshwater resources

on islands in Vietnam is very limited and this method is still not an application

option Hence, this study can be considered as a the first application of this approach assessing freshwater vulnerability on islands in Vietnam

1.2 Objectives and Research questions

1.2.1 Objective of study

The main objectives of the study include:

- Piloting a method in terms of assessing the freshwater vulnerability in the southwestern area of Vietnams: applied specifically on Phu Quoc – Kien Giang

Province;

- Assessing vulnerability of freshwater resources on the Island of Phu Quoc –

Kien Giang and potential agents;

- Providing scientifically-based evidence to support policy development of water resources management, to support the decision-making process;

- Proposing measures to reduce the vulnerability of freshwater resources on the Phu Quoc Island

1.2.2 Research questions

- What methods and tools are appropriate to assess the vulnerability of freshwater resources on the Island?

- Which elements are vulnerable to freshwater resources?

- What are the opportunities and challenges regarding to freshwater resources management in the Island?

- What are solutions that should be done to improve the freshwater resources in the Island?

Water is essential for life All activities of humans, animals and plants on earth need water However, freshwater resources are vulnerable and a reliable assessment of vulnerability is essential The vulnerability assessment of freshwater resources, newly developed by UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) and

by Peking University is the methodology of the thesis Firstly, relevant data in the study area are collected, including: relevant documents such as natural conditions, hydrology, environment, geology, etc The statistical analysis results are collected

directly from the local agencies The data processing is necessary to investigate additional fieldwork and to update the latest data content research serving as the current status and characteristics of water resources on the island and the control system influence of the current vulnerability of freshwater resources This study will provide an overview of the evaluation method to assess the vulnerability of water resources; the preferred method will be the approach developed by UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) and Packing University The evaluation of data will serve an analytical framework DPSIR (Driver, pressure, state, impact and response)

to analyze quantitative and qualitative features, and a description of the vulnerability of freshwater resources on the island Then, an integrated vulnerability index (VI) is calculated based on possible vulnerable parameters; the results will assess the vulnerability of freshwater resources on the island, followed by a proposal for solutions to reduce the vulnerability of freshwater resources on the Phu

Quoc Island

1.4 Structure of the thesis

This report is divided into six chapters The first chapter introduces the research to answer three main questions: Why is a vulnerability assessment is important? How can we assess the vulnerability of the island? And, what are the main objectives of a vulnerability assessment in this study?

The chapter two reviews several studies about the concept of vulnerability, vulnerability assessment methods and some previous researches relate to study area

The chapter three presents an overview of freshwater resources, which describe the geographical context of natural, socio-economics, freshwater resources Especially, we focus on the present status and the challenges dealing with the management of fresh water resources in the island This chapter also discusses the importance of the influence of climate change and the pressures of environmental change to freshwater resources on the island

Chapter four identifies methods to assess the vulnerability of freshwater resources, summarizes the specific assessment method of UNEP, including, such as:

methods, diagnosis of issues, and DPSIR analytical framework to understand the vulnerability index (VI) Data used in the thesis

Chapter five is an important chapter of the report This chapter continues to assess the vulnerability of freshwater resources on the island of Phu Quoc – Kien

Giang Province These assessments determine the importance and the interrelationship of social-economics, the environment, climate, geographical factors and management resources with vulnerable island freshwater resources The study of assessment indicators and injury parameters such as water stress, development pressure, the insecurity of the ecosystem and management challenges,

is necessary to calculate the vulnerability index In addition, this chapter will provide proposed measures to reduce the vulnerability of freshwater resources on the Island

Chapter six: Finally, the last chapter concludes the findings of this thesis, discusses the limitations of this work and provides an outlook by giving recommendation for future areas of research

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REWIEW

2.1 Concepts of vulnerability

The concepts of vulnerability have been changed over time According to Jörn Birkmann (2006) statistics, the current literature encompass more than 25 different definitions, concepts and methods to systematize vulnerability (for example, Chambers, 1989; Bohle, 2001; Wisner et al., 2004; Downing et al., 2006; UN/ISDR, 2004; Pelling, 2003; Luers, 2005; Green, 2004; UN-Habitat, 2003; Schneiderbauer and Ehrlich, 2004; van Dillen, 2004; Turner et al., 2003; Cardona, 2004b) According to Downing (2006), the vulnerability includes the expression, sensitivity and resilience of the system to combat the dangers posed by the effects of the agent Researchers in the field of natural sciences often focus on the concept of risk, while researchers in the field of social sciences often refer to the term vulnerability Concept of vulnerability is the social scientists associated with the group of socioeconomic factors and the community's ability to cope with natural disasters, but scientists about climate usually consider the concept of vulnerability

as a function of the likelihood of occurrence and the potential impact of weather and climate related

According to Jörn Birkmann (2006) statistics, one of the best-known definitions were formulated by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), which defines vulnerability as:

- The conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact

of hazards (UN/ISDR, 2004)

- In contrast, the United National Development Programme (UNDP) defines vulnerability as: a human condition or process resulting from physical, social, economic and environmental factors, which determine the likelihood and scale of damage from the impact of a given hazard (UNDP, 2004: 11)

Develop policies of integrated water resources management will require a comprehensive knowledge, the understanding of the vulnerability of water resources

is a key element for this purpose Vulnerability is a term used to describe a weakness

or flaw exists in the system, the sensitivity of the system with a threat or a particular disadvantage, and/or challenges systems faced when dealing with the threat

In view of water resource management, the vulnerability can be defined as the characteristic weaknesses and flaws of the system of water resources makes it difficult to respond to changing economic and social and the environment Thus, the vulnerability can look through (i) the pressure of the water resources in the study area; and (ii) the ability of ecosystems and society in the fight against the agents acting on the healthy function of water resource systems

2.2 Vulnerability assessment

Water, "blood" of natural ecosystems, have a role indispensable for almost all functions of ecosystems Water is also one of the important resources needed to support the socioeconomic development of human The result of the excessive population growth, rapid economic development, mismanaged of water resources, leading to dwindling water resources Therefore, sustainable water resources management has become a priority concern of many national agendas

Vulnerability assessment is a process of investigation and analysis to assess the sensitivity of the system before the potential threat, and to identify the main challenges for the system in reducing or minimize the risks associated with, the negative consequences of the opposition activists Assessment of water resources will be calculated based on the water balance between water supply and water demand, system policies and ownership to support the conservation and management

of water resources, as well as regime change hydrology under the impact of climate change and other environmental factors Besides, It needs to consider the risks that may occur from the surrounding areas can affect water resources

The vulnerability assessment can be used to orient the rational use of water resources through the provision of a priority plan for upgrades, adjusted operating

procedures, and/or change the policies to reduce risks and vulnerabilities to achieve the most efficient use Vulnerability assessment will provide the basic framework for the development of options to reduce the risks and costs involved In fact, every problem is identified, vulnerability assessment to delimit the main control factor; estimate the pressure; understand the current situation and development trend; impact analysis; and determine the response to deal with vulnerability of water resources systems

2.3 Previous studies in study area

Phu Quoc Island is the largest island in the system of the coastal islands of Vietnam Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand, the Southwestern of Vietnam The studies related to the Island's water resources are very limited The coastal islands Southwestern systems have a very important position on national security and economic development Some typical projects in the Phu Quoc Island area are:

- In 2006, Dr Dao Manh Tien and Dr Pham Van Thanh to implement the project "Investigation assesses the current state of the marine environment of Phu Quoc Island from 0 - 20m" The results were evaluated of marine resources Phu Quoc island, the environmental status of sediments and seawater

- Dr Dao Manh Tien (2008) to implement the project "Investigation of environmental geology and geohazards coast of Phu Quoc - Ha Tien rate 1/100,000"

- Within the scope of Phu Quoc Island and especially the National Park, this area has had plenty of the study of biological diversity The survey results synthetic, fauna and flora of the area by the Institute of Forest Inventory and Planning II performed (1996, 2002) This is the basis of the results are to assess, comment on diversity and biological resources of Phu Quoc National Park

- NAWAPI - National Center for Water Resources Planning and

Investigation (2010), Project “Water Resources Planning on the Phu Quoc Island”

Planning is approved as the basis for the management agency of water resources

Kien Giang Province implementation of management measures, protection and exploitation and use of water resources on the Phu Quoc Island

- Vietnam Academy for Water resources (2010), Project “ Research,

evaluate the potential exploitation of surface water sources serving water supply on Phu Quoc Island”

The previous studies in Vietnam, not to mention much of each object on the Island are harmed by the activities of socioeconomic development, or the natural environment changes In Vietnam, Vulnerability assessment of freshwater resources is limited, especially object is the island, where the water resources are

very vulnerable

An approach to assess the vulnerability of water resources and hydrological system has been developed for a long time, with many different methods Such as Water Poverty Index (WPI) – (Lawrence and others 2002; Sullivan and others

2003), with the aim is to provide an interdisciplinary measure, including the benefits associated with household water and indicate the level of water availability affect humans, the index takes into account the physical and social - economic factors related to water scarcity

Water Stress Indicator WSI description available water resources in a country, the water stress index developed by Swedish Falkenmark expert 1989 This index is often used in the evaluation on a national scale which data are available and provided intuitive results and understanding However, the use of average annual water of the country should tend to obscure information water scarcity on a smaller scale

Meigh and others (2004) have developed a water availability index Water Availability Index (WAI) The index includes surface water, groundwater and compared to the total water demand of all sectors such as industry, agriculture, etc

Or water stress (Gleick 1996) at the regional level The index uses measurements of input, output, and based on the water balance equation

Or The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) has developed an Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) 2005 to develop a vulnerability index to demonstrate the disadvantages, which the small islands are incurring This index focuses on the vulnerability of the environment from the risks

of natural and human Including the effects on physical and biological aspects of the ecology, habitat, biodiversity, ecological resilience etc

There are many different evaluation methods to be studied and applied, with both advantages and disadvantages For the vulnerability assessment of water resources in recent years, Method of water resources vulnerability assessment, developed by UNEP and Peking University (2009) emerged a way to evaluate the

effectiveness and advantages With the approach depending on the resources

available to meet the production, use, environmental pressures and capacity development and management It highlights the vulnerability factors such as climate change, population growth, economic development, and management, etc of freshwater resource vulnerability Currently, this method has been used to assess the vulnerability of water resources in the Pacific Islands, West Asia Region, and South Asia and some river basin as Mekong river basin, Amu Darya river basin,etc

The research on sea environmental resource vulnerability assessment in Vietnam has just begun in the late twentieth century To date, there are many studies following different approaches, such as regions/areas, natural systems and social, community, resources in different areas The study is based on general principles of

a vulnerability assessment is to determine the ability of a compromised system (natural, social and economic) to meet natural disasters and man-made, one determine the resilience and recovery of systems; thereby, proposing vulnerability mitigation measures From 2001, the team of Prof Dr Mai Trong Nhuan conducted studies assessing coastal vulnerability (Mai Trong Nhuan 2005) Thereby, the research team has identified the ability of the vulnerable segments of society, nature, previous works The combined effects of natural and man-made disasters as well as vulnerability maps propose mitigation measures for many coastal localities

in our country For the method to assess the vulnerability of water resources had initially applied research project to assess the vulnerability of water resources to river resources as Vulnerability Assessment of Water Resources Systems in Thach Han basin, Nhue Day basin by Trinh Minh Ngoc and others, 2013 - Faculty of Hydro-Meteorology and Oceanography, VNU University of Science used Methodologies Guidelines of UNEP and Peking University (Trinh Minh Ngoc 2013) However, this approach on the Island is still not applied

For Southwestern areas, the densely populated island group also has studied

As the evaluation of Prof Le Duc An (1995), this area is much variation in natural conditions, natural resources The project "Research on natural conditions and Southwestern areas of environmental, economic development serves to protect the security and sovereignty " KC09 02/06-10 of Prof Do Ngoc Quynh mentioned the major motivating factors in the forms of sea disasters, environmental impacts of climate change in the current trend Overall, the southwestern areas, especially in the island system have not been fully studied with the latest data on natural conditions, resources and environment In which, freshwater resources is most vulnerable

CHAPTER 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

3.1 Geography and Socioeconomics

3.1.1 Geography and Biodiversity

a) Geography

Phu Quoc, also known as Pearl Island, is the largest island of Vietnam, located in the Thailand Gulf The total area of the Island is 567,55 km² (National land statistics, 2005), approximately the size of Singapore Phu Quoc District has a total area is 589,23 km2, perimeter about 150km, includes 2 towns and 8 communes (NAWAPI 2010)

Duong Dong Town, located in the northwest is the administrative town of the Island Phu Quoc is located 120 km from Rach Gia and Ha Tien town by 45 km

Phu Quoc Island lies in the Gulf of Thailand in Southwest of Vietnam, Phu Quoc stretches from latitude 9°53' to 10°28' and longitude from 103°49'to 104°05'

\

Figure 3.1: Location of Phu Quoc Island on satellite images

(Source: Google Earth)

b) Topography

The topography here is quite diverse, but the main type is still hilly terrain Topography can be divided into two areas of Phu Quoc Island with the following characteristics (NAWAPI 2010):

- North Island has an area of about 400km2 with over 70% of mountains (average slope of 25-30%), less than 30% of the low hills and flat land Overall, topography elevation is lower from the north to south and from east

to west

- South Island has an area of about 1672km2, including many low mountains alternating strips of land fairly low and gradually in the direction from Northeast to Southwest with a slope less than 15%

Currently, it is being used or capable of use for agricultural production Follwing are the results of the natural distribution according to altitude and slop

Table 3.1: Distribution by altitude and degree slope Altitude

Current status and

Duong Dong river Oceanographic stations are located in the estuarine areas of Duong Dong

The specific datas on temperature, humidity, wind, etc of Phu Quoac were provided by Kien Giang Hydrometeorology Center

Phu Quoc Island area characterized by tropical monsoon climate High temperatures during the year, an average of 27.10C Evaporation (Piche) annual average is 1,210 mm (3.3 mm / day) Average annual humidity is 82.6% October, the highest average humidity (87.8%) February, the average humidity is lowest (75.5%) (NAWAPI 2010)

Annual rainfall is abundant here, annual average 2902 mm and is relatively stable over the years (coefficients of variation Cv = 0.176) (NAWAPI 2010), pretty standard distribution Rainfall in large stable with mountainous terrain conditions are ideal conditions for the development, management and operation of small and medium reservoirs on the island of Phu Quoc

Table 3.2: Temperature characteristics (0C) at Phu Quoc Station (1984-2011)

Average lowest 30.7 31.3 31.0 32.6 31.6 30.6 30.0 29.7 29.5 30.3 30.7 30.5 30.7 Average highest 23.3 23.9 24.1 25.7 25.9 25.7 25.3 25.3 25.1 24.7 24.6 23.8 24.8

Table 3.4 Lowest humidity by months – year (%)

(Source: Kien Giang Hydrometeorology Center)

Table 3.5: Characteristics of rain in Phu Quoc

Highest rainfall

per day mm 77.9 112.2 103.2 127.1 109.6 126.8 196.5 327.1 188.4 181.2 136 105.4 327.1 Average

Analysis of rainfall data from Phu Quoc stations for the period from 1985 to

2011 shows that total annual rainfall has decreased by an average of 19.8 mm /year (Nguyen Ngoc Tran 2013)

(Source: Kien Giang Hydrometeorology Cente) Water level data from Phu Quoc station shows the maximum tide height, minimum tide height and the average trend line for the period (1988 - 2010); annual average tidal amplitude and the average trend line in the years (1988 - 2009) are shown in the image below:

Figure 3.3: Hmax, Hmin in Phu Quoc island

(Source: Kien Giang Hydrometeorology Center)

Figure 3.4: Tidal amplitude in Phu Quoc island

(Source: Kien Giang Hydrometeorology Center) Tidal amplitude has the trend increased both on tidal and tidal foot The maximum tide height, minimum tide height for the period (1988 – 2010) tend to

increased

Based on the standards division of the rainy season and dry season Hydrometeorology Center (monthly rainfall exceeding 150 mm, surpassing the average evaporation month period, the fall in the rainy season) and in combination with the analysis of Duong Dong station rainfall data, rainfall regimes in Phu Quoc island can be divided into the following two seasons: rainy season lasts 7 months (May - November), coincided with the period of active southwest monsoon; 5 month long dry season (December- April years later), coinciding with the period of operation of the northeast monsoon April rainfall average is 150 mm at Duong Dong station, but heavy rain and steady rainfall in the last 10 days of April, so April could be considered a transition month from dry season to the rainy season The rainy season accounts for 81% of total rainfall leading to excess water during the rainy season, water shortages in the dry season Moreover, due to the steep

topography, rain water should focus quickly generate large floods in the months VII-IX, often causing severe damage to infrastructure, land erosion and threaten people's lives (Nguyen Ngoc Tran 2013)

d) Rivers Network

The river and streams on the island of Phu Quoc with diverse characteristics, especially small rivers, estuaries flowing into different directions depending on terrain conditions Surface water during rainy season is abounding in the inland The density of spring is 0,42 km/km2 (largest density among islands in Vietnam) There are two main river systems in the They occupy a total basin area about 25% of the total island area (NAWAPI 2010) These rivers have steep slopes, flood season caused major erosion

- Cua Can river: Derived from Chua mountain, flows from East to West The river length is 29,75 km, the total length of the River in this basin is about 69km, the catchment area is 120km2

- Dong Duong river: Derived from Da Bac mountain, flow direction from east

to west The river length 21,5km, total length of the network of rivers and streams in this river around 63 km, the catchment area is 57 km2

- Cua Lap river connects with many small rivers derived from Ham Ninh mountain, flowing to the sea to the west, the river length is 11km, the total length of the river about 45km, the catchment area is 21 km2

- Tram river derived from Ham Ninh mountain, Ham Rong, flowing into the c North, river length is 9km, the total length of the rivers is about 22 km, catchment area is 41, 2 km2

- Suoi Lon river derived from Ham Ninh mountain, flows east - west, then enters the Dam river, flowing to the west - east, then to see; river length is 15km, the catchment area is 8km2

- Ca river: Dirived from Ham Ninh mountain, flowing into the East sea, river length is 5km, catchment area about 11km2

There are also a number of other smaller Rivers are: Vung Bau River in the northwest of, Ham Ninh River in the Southeast, Dam river in the south and the Chanh river on the center island

The influence of natural conditions for the Island Development

- Phu Quoc Island has steep terrain and complicated Difficult mining, land used for agricultural purposes in many areas of upRiver rivers and Rivers Steep topography is a major cause localized flooding on the Island, causing soil erosion

- Annual rainfall is relatively abundant on the island with the amount of 2902 mm/year (NAWAPI 2010) However, rainfall is not evenly distributed over the year Rainfall during the rainy season accounts for 89%, in the dry season only 11% lead to water shortages in the dry season

- Every year in August, September heavy rains and lowland flooding, causing innundation, flooded from 1 to 2m The flood prone areas at downRiver Cua Duong Dong, however Duong Dong downriver flood situation now has improved somewhat due to the reservoirs upriver Flood damages situation in Phu Quoc, are not severe during the construction of hydraulic some coustruction system

- Droughts occur locally in Bai Thom and Ganh Dau commune In coastal areas there are salt intrusion situations, affecting the farming activitis and lives of the people living there

Figure 3.5: Map of River Network on Phu Quoc island

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e) Vegetation cover

The Phu Quoc flora has a high biodiversity in comparison with other island of our country Along with high and steep topography condition, soil properties and climate characteristics here are favorable conditions for development of forest vegetation The biodiversity is rich with main tropical broad-leaved forest ecosystem, forest on sulfate acid soil, salt-marsh forest, coral reefs and seagrass beds

Phu Quoc has a large protected area is located on the territory of the commune Ganh Oil, Bai Thom, Duong Cua, Cua Can, Ham Ninh and Duong Duong Dong town Since 2001, this nature reserve has been transformed into Phu Quoc National Park with a total area is 314,22km2 According to a 2005 survey, there are 1,164 species of plants on ground surface the plants in Phu Quoc National Park, belong to 66 sets, 137 groups and 513 offshoots of 06 sectors of higher plants are Psilophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta, Pinophyta, Magnoliophyta (Wildlife at Risk 2006)

In Phu Quoc Tropical wet broad-leaved rainforest ocupies for more than 90%

of the area of Phu Quoc National Park The dominant plants belonging to Dipterocarpaceae, Myrtaceae and Ebenaceae families Salt-marsh, forest has Lumnitzera Rose and Rhizophora Apiculata In addition, there are many rare and endemic species that have high value for research and gene conservation as well as economic value

Phu Quoc National Park has three ecosystems include ecosystems of tropical moist forest; Alum forest ecosystems and Mangrove ecosystems As shown

in the table below:

Table 3.6 Distribution of Phu Quoc forest ecosystem FOREST

ECOSYSTEM

Phu Quoc National

FOREST

ECOSYSTEM

(Source: Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (Ho Chi Minh city))

Forest vegetation cover over 88% natural area of Phu Quoc National Park Natural forest area of Phu Quoc is also quite large 39 618 ha (65% of the land area

of the whole island), including many wood rare types, forest resources have shown here is also an advantage for the Island in the resource supply, rain water havesting and environmental protection (Wildlife at Risk 2006)

3.1.2 Socio-economics

a) Administrative Organization

Phu Quoc has 2 towns (Duong Dong and An Thoi), 6 communes are Bai Thom, Ganh Dau, Cua Duong, Cua Can, Duong To and Ham Ninh The commune with the largest area Cua Duong (140.7 km2), followed by Bai Thom commune (94.12 km2) Administrative units with the smallest area is the town of Duong Dong (16 km2) then the town of An Thoi (27.51 km2) (NAWAPI 2006)

b) Population and population distribution

According to statistics of Kien Giang province, with a population in 2012 of the Phu Quoc island district, about 96 940 people, the population density of about

165 persons/km2 (Statistical Yearbook 2012)

In particular:

- The sex ratio is relatively uniform Men accounted for 51.2%

- The urban population is 58.6% The urban population concentrated mainly

in two centers: Duong Dong town and around An Thoi port This is the second urban area with a relatively high growth rate in recent years, Duong Dong is an important administrative center of the Island In addition, urban residents are concentrated in the community centers as Duong To, Cua Can, Ham Ninh, Cua Duong, Bai Thom, Ganh Dau

- The rural residential areas: outside urban areas, the rural residential living mainly distributed on the inter-village roads, communal The rural population accounted for 41.4% Phu Quoc rural population concentrated in the coastal fishing village and agricultural village, the current status as follows:

+ The fishing village formed on the river to mouth, where the beans favorable for fishing boats Fishermen often build houses along the beach and even relatively concentrate on estuaries and along the river Housing is usually a temporary floor Sanitation is very poor, men sheet often discharge directly into the sea water causing pollution The infrastructure of the fishing village residents almost nothing, water is mainly self-drilling groundwater wells

+ Agricultural villages live mainly in the hamlet of communes as Duong To, Cua Duong, Cua Can and a few at An Thoi, Bai Thom, Ganh Dau

Figue 3.6: The coastal fish market

Figure 3.7: Administrative maps of Phu Quoc island

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c) Economic

Recently, the Prime Minister has decided to recognize the Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province is grade II This is considered as an important step towards the establishment of the Special Administrative Region - Economic centrally; position and promote the potential of Phu Quoc in the relationship of the national and international levels The Phu Quoc is recognized as Urban II also reflects the kind

of results after 10 years of implementation of the Master Plan of Development overall of Phu Quoc Island until 2010 and The vision to 2020 in Decision 178/2004 / QD TTG of the Prime Minister in January 10/2004

Through 10 years of implementations of the Decision No 178/2004/ QD –

Phu Quoc Island to 2010 and vision to 2020” the current state of the island has been

positively changing

In 2013, economic growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 24,68%, per capita income reached 71.910.000 VND/person The economic structure is divided into 3 areas (Notification No 425 / TB-OG December 25, 2012):

- Area I: Agriculture, forestry and fishery products reached 38,45%, increasing 2,3% compared with last year at the same period Total fishery products reached 161.107 tons: aquaculture production reached 841 tons

- Area II: Industry – construction reached 18,53%, 2,92% lower in comparison with last year

- Area III: Services and other sectors reached 43,02%, increasing 0,62% compared with last year at the same period Total retail sales and services revenue in the area estimated at VND 12.003 billion, service revenue reached VND 1.209 billion, accommodation also increased by 25% The domestic transport sector estimated 6.5 million visitors: with air transport is the most increase of 32,72% higher, 5,55% higher by navigation, road traffic 6,33 % lower and cargo transport reached over 6.500 million tons

The total state budget revenues in 2013 reached VND 760,24 billion People's lives are improved, the poverty rate fell from 14% in 2004 to below 2% in

2013 Infrastructures have been invested and have been operation, such as International Airports Phu Quoc, and the international habour, transpontation systems and number of other infrastructure projects

According to the conclusions of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the Preliminary Meeting implementation of Decision No 178/2004 / QD-TTg dated October 5, 2004 Rate of economic growth and stability, the average annual GDP increase by 22% (4.91 times GDP in 2012 compared with 2004); GDP per capita was 50 million / person / year, an increase of 5.78 times compared to 2004; tourist arrivals increased by an annual average of 13%; Revenue increased by an annual average of 36% (in 2012 reached 681 billion) (Notification No 425 / TB-OG December 25, 2012)

Phu Quoc has many conditions for economic, culture, society development, particularly eco-tourism development Golden age accounted for about 40% of the population, which attracted sector most labor intensive fisheries, agriculture and forestry sectors, construction industry, etc

d) Construction and planning

The adjusted general master plan for Phu Quoc island to 2030 approved in the Decision 633/QD – TTg dated May 11th, 2010 Phu Quoc with key functions

including resorts, commercial zones, urban areas with urban area associated with scientific research, sport center, amusement parks with the potential of including casino, international airport, international seaport with non-tariff zone attached According to Strategic Planning up to 2030, Phu Quoc is divided into 3 large metropolitan areas (Decision 633 / QD-TTg May 11, 2010)

- Cua Can urban area: 3,29km2 - 26.500 people

- Duong Dong urban center: 25,02km2 – 240.000 people

- An Thoi urban area: 10,20km2 – 71.000 people

Attract and develop investment projects in the period 2005 -2010: According

to Phu Quoc Development and Investment Management Authority:

- 75/250 project investment certificates, VND 52 337 billion invested

- The project is not attached to the land or to invest in upgrading and expanding existing facilities: VND 1,176 billion invested, 16 projects Projects in the area under the planning function: 49 projects, VND 51 161 billion invested

- FDI projects: 18 projects, VND 31 971 billion invested There are 57 projects in the country: VND 20 366 billion in invested

Established companies and development phase 2005 - 2010: Percentage increase in the number of annual business: 22.8% The average rate of increase of the registered capital is 85.6% annually

Annual rainfall is abundant on the Island., average is 2902 mm and quite stable over the years Heavy rainfall and stable, with mountainous terrain conditions are ideal conditions for the development, management and operation of small and medium reservoirs on Phu Quoc island

Total rainfall for the month was 2.570 mm in the rainy season, accounting for 89% of annual rainfall Dry season rainfall of 332 mm, accounting for 11% of annual rainfall (NAWAPI 2010)

Rainy season Dry season

Number of rain days

(Source: NAWAPI )

b) Surface water resources

Rivers in Phu Quoc island are classified as small Northern has Tram river system; island center has Cua Can river, Duong Dong river, Cai Lap river; island southern has Suoi Lon river, Dam river In an Island river network, the most important role is Cua Can river (basin area is 150km2), Duong Dong (basin area is 60km2)

Rivers and streams during the rainy season has big flow discharge, but

in the dry season the flow is small, some time dried up stream Rivers have the biggest flow in the dry season reached only 120.5 l/s

The reservoir was built in Duong Dong, effective capacity of 3.3 million m3

Due to the uneven distribution of water resources, in the dry season, local water shortages are offen happend Duong Dong town and An Thoi town (NAWAPI 2010)

The assessment of water resources in rivers and Rivers on Phu Quoc island, based on the river flow datas measured at hydraulic constructions

According to Project “ Research, evaluate the potential exploitation of surface water sources serving water supply on Phu Quoc island” of Vietnam Acadeny for

Water resources in 2010; Survey results showed rainfall resources is abundant on the Island, the average total flow years (from the rainfall) around 950 million m3(VAW 2010)

Table 3.8: Characteristics of the average monthly flow in some places

(Source: Intitute of Water Resources Planning South)

c) Ground water resources

- Ground water is abounding Shallow ground is evenly distributed over the

area while true aquifer water in the northern part is more difficult; for instance, in Ganh Dau, two pits bored up to 30 - 40m in depth failed to produce water) (NAWAPI 2010)

- Potential reserves groundwater is calculated by the water balance method over Phu Quoc Island is 102.553m3 / day Unconfined aquifer about 77.211 m3/day, confined aquifer about 25.342 m3/day

The results calculated potential reserves throughout the region, summarized in the following table:

Table 3.9 : Reserve potential underground water

1

Aquifer

Potential reserves (m3/day)

reserve

Total

Aquifer

Potential reserves (m3/day)

3.2.2 Current status of exploitation and use of water resources

Currently, Phu Quoc island water resources are exploited to serve the needs

of socioeconomic development on the island, mainly of groundwater and surface water Rainwater is exploited to serve a small amount of agricultural activities in rural and urban areas However, exploited water from rainfall and surface water are small percentage in comparison to the amount of ground water

Current state of works exploitation of water resources

Phu Quoc Islan has 14.810 works exploitation and use of water resources (NAWAPI 2010)

- Number of groundwater exploitation is 14 291 works, accounting for 96.5%;

- The number of surface water exploitation 519 works accounting for 3.5%

Figure 3.8: Works classification of the exploitation and use of water resources

(Source: NAWAPI

Figure 3.9: Current exploitation and use of water on Phu Quoc Island

92 88

44 44

48 48

52

40

32 32

36 36

11

12 16

20 20

24

16

04 04

08 08

12

3 11

00 96

92 84

24

Rạch Tràm

Rạch Cửa Cạn

Rạc

D-ơ

Đ g

Hồ D-ơng Đông

Rạch Cửa Lấp

Rạch Cầu Sấu

Vùng các rạch nhỏ phía Đông

Vùng rạch cửa lấp

Vùng rạch cầu sấu - Suối Lớn

Vùng Rạch Tràm

vùng rạch D- ơng đông Vùng rạch cửa cạn



Demand of water use

Calculate and forecast water demand for the different sectors based on water standards, oriented socio – economic development of Phu Quoc island defined in

the following documents:

- Decision No 178/2004 / QD-TTg, October 5, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the Master Plan of Development for Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province by 2010, with a vision to 2020;

- Decision No 1197/2005 / QD-TTg, November 9, 2005 by the Prime Minister for approval, "The general planning of the construction of Phu Quoc Island, the province Kien Giang Province to 2020 ";

- Decision No 2200/2007 / QD-PPC, November 9, 2007 of the People's Committee of Kien Giang province approved "Plan for industrial development district of Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province 2006-2010, with a vision to 2020”

Water demand of sectors

- The water demand for domestic use in urban area is calculated according to Vietnamese standard in the Decision so1197 / QD-TTg, November 9, 2005

of the Prime Minister: In 2010 - 2015: 110-120 l/ person/day;

- Water demand for public services, the amount of water loss and water requirements of water treatment factory taken from QCXDVN 01: 2008 / BXD - Water losses as a percentage of domestic demand for the sector: domestic, tourism, industry, environment, public service over a period 2007 - 2010: 20%; the period 2010 - 2020: 15%;

- According to the technical process of fisheries, the aquaculture freshwater use of about 12.000m3 / ha / year

- Demand water for agriculture, including irrigation of crops and livestock

- For industrial areas, water demand is calculated based on QCXDVN 01:

2008 / BXD is 40 m3/day/ ha Water demand for handicraft production took 10% of water demand activities

According to the calculation by NAWAPI, the total amount of fresh water

is used for agricultural, tourism, manufacturing industry, aquaculture is about 18,282.106 m3/ year on the island in 2007

Table 3.10: Synthesis using water of the sectors in 2007 Sectors

Amount of water used

sectors throughout the island of Phu Quoc is synthesized for each industry in each planning period as the table below:

Table 3.11: Demand using water resources on Phu Quoc island

Pollution of water resources

Waste water, waste of domestic on the island of Phu Quoc almost discharged untreated directly into the environment Receiving wastewater is rivers and River network on the island concentrated on rivers and streams in the area of Duong Dong and AnThoi, Ganh Dau and some rivers, small Rivers on the East part

Currently, the island of Phu Quoc has only some residential areas, tourist areas that have wastewater collection systems Wastewater is collected but not processed, because wastewater treatment systems on the island are in the testing phase; therefore mainly wastewater discharged into rivers, Rivers and spill on the ground and some discharged directly into the sea Currently, only Duong Dong town has built sewerage system with the capacity of 70.000 m3/day rate of 80% of the total volume of wastewater of the town (NAWAPI 2010)

In Duong Dong town, waste water is collected through the general sewer system (wastewater and stormwater in the same pipe system), and then be discharged directly into the Duong Dong river; An Thoi town area is discharged directly into habour

The total volume of wastewater on Phu Quoc Island (NAWAPI 2010)

- Domestic wastewater, and tourism wastewater, by 75% of the water used;

- Wastewater from industrial areas by 60% of the water used

3.3 Challenges of water resources

For island developing freshwater resources will face a lot of problems, such

as inadequate technical and financial capacity However, islands have additional unique physical, population growth, economic development, greater susceptibility

to natural disasters such as typhoons and isolation from the mainland that contribute further to the vulnerability of their water resources Environmental threats such as rapid development of the area, tourist expand, climate change, deforestation and natural disasters affect everyone (NAWAPI 2010)

3.3.1 Drought

Drought is the urgent problem of Phu Quoc island, due to water shortage during the dry season Most of land capable for specialty crops such as cashew, but

due to lack of water it is difficult to expand and increase productivity Drought in the dry season and even during the rainy less rainfall years

According to the local records, about 3-4 years has 1 year of water shortage for production and domestic

3.3.2 Inundation, flood

Due to the steep terrain, rainwater concentrates very quickly However, the drainage time is short only for 1 and 2 days The flood-prone areas such as Cua Can, Duong Dong downriver However, Duong Dong downriver flood situation has improved somewhat by the effect of upriver reservoir operation

Solid waste, currently only 60 % of waste generated in domestic area is collected, the rest of the populations waste is self- treated or discharged into the natural environment, all waste collectors flock into 2 open landfills in the town of Duong Dong and An The town burned or buried Therefore, the water quality and quantity will be affected

3.3.4 Saltwater intrusion

Annually, saltwater starts entering the estuary from the rivers and streams during the dry season (December), this is the period when a combination of factors: rainfall is small, hight evaporation, flow on the rivers are small and the period of high tides of the year Duration of the largest salt water intrusion usually occurs in February, March, and then decreases with the increase of rainfall

3.3.5 Climate Change

Water is the first sector to be affected by climate change Climate change affects the hydrological cycle, which leads to serious effects on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events Sea level rise, increased evaporation, unpredictable precipitation and prolonged droughts are just a few manifestations of climate change that are directly impacting on the availability and quality of water Phu Quoc Island is situated in the region affected by climate change, sea water level rise will therefore alter the quantity and quality of water is effected Future water sources on the island can be changed and the risk of drought occurs

3.3.6 Rapid population growth

The fact that the majority of the Island's population is growth in the next few

decades, mainly on the urban areas As the island‟s population grows, the demand

for water amounts and pressure on finite water resources intensifies Population growth, immigrants from the mainland to the island, and this will impact water availability

Water scarcity is measured in various ways, including water availability per capita and percentage of water used While political, social, and economic factors all help determine access to water Population growth is a major contributor to water scarcity Growth in population means mounting demand and competition for water for domestic, industrial, and municipal uses Rapid population growth and urbanization could expose more people to water shortages, with negative implications for livelihoods, health, and security

Table 3.12: Summary of highlighted issues in water resources

1 Tram River

- Lack of clean drinking water in the dry season

- Groundwater quality is not good

- Inundation, localized flooding occurs at some point

- Saline intrusion into the river in the dry season

- The risk of saltwater intrusion of underground aquifersaquifers

2 Cua Can River

- Inundation often occurs in the rainy season

- Drought and water shortage in the dry season

- Saline intrusion in the dry season

3 Duong Dong River - Inundation, localized flooding in the rainy season

- Saline intrusion in the dry season

4 Small River in the East - Saline intrusion in the dry season

- The risk of saltwater intrusion of underground

5 Cua Lap River - Drought, irrigation water shortages in the dry season

- Saline intrusion in the dry season

-

6 Cau Sau- Suoi Lon River

- Drought, water shortages in the dry season

- Saline intrusion into the river in the dry season

- The risk of saltwater intrusion of underground

(Source: NAWAPI)

CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY AND DATA USED

4.1 Approach

An assessment of the vulnerability of freshwater to environmental change in the islands, with approach was also presented based on methodological guidelines prepared by UNEP and Peking University (UNEP 2009)

Initially, methodology to assess the vulnerability of freshwater resources to

be developed for assessment of freshwater resources in the river basin, rather than

of the island The successful application of the method to the islands as the Pacific Islands, South Asia, West Asia, Africa and river basin as Mekong… shows the

flexibility of the method and the application of this method is necessary for the island in Vietnam

Notably, it is considered that these changes reflect the limitations of applying indicators developed for river basins to Pacific islands and the unique nature of the vulnerability of island water resources, rather than differences in the level of vulnerability (UNEP 2012)

This approach is based on the application of the DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impacts and Responses) analytical framework for assessing vulnerability index

The UNEP (2009) vulnerability assessment methodology assumes that the vulnerability of a system is dependent upon three aspects: stress, adaptation and cooperation It is assumed that these aspects operate across four core components, namely

- Total water resource: Hydrological balance analysis before considering a

water resource and use it Thus, the establishment of water from natural hydrological processes in relation to global climate change, local biophysical conditions

- Water resource development and use: Analysis of water resource supply,

the balance between supply and demand is essential Analysis of supply water

resources, the balance between supply and demand is essential Development of water resources through technical approach and the relationship between development and water resources, the support of water resources for economic

development, health… development pressure components such as water extraction,

improved drinking water assess

- Ecological Health: Water needs of economic development, water for

domestic use, the economic sector, maintaining the ecological health of the island Ecosystem health is analyzed through degradation of ecosystems and water quality Environmental pollution as a consequence of the development and use of water

(pollution), more pollution affect the budget for water resources on the island

- Management and governance: Management capacity to focus on three

issues that are efficient water use, IWRM capacity, improving access to sanitation The capacity of water resource management has an important role in the development and use of water resources The challenge of management and governance should be assessed, evaluated trends of institutional and other factors in the management of freshwater resources

This assessment approach recognizes that a sustainable freshwater systems can only operate within a framework of integrated system combines both natural and managed systems

4.2 Diagnosis of Issues

To assess the vulnerability of freshwater resources in the Island First of all,

we need to collect the basic data from various sources related to the social economy situation, basic water resources, use and management of water resources In addition, the fieldtrip relevant to the region of the Island Then, possibly preliminary assessment, diagnostic issues related to water resources The results of the initial description will tell us the main functions and key issues related to water resources

on the Island