Wastewater Generation and Pollutant Loads in Coastal Regions of Ba Ria–Vung Tau, Southern Viet Nam: Current Status and Future Projections

Abstract

This study quantifies and projects pollutant loads from key wastewater sources in Ba Ria – Vung Tau (BRVT), a rapidly urbanizing and industrializing coastal province in southern Vietnam. An integrated methodological framework combining emission factor analysis, statistical projection, and Vietnamese national discharge standards was applied to estimate current and future pollutant loads across domestic, industrial, aquaculture, and stormwater sectors. Currently, domestic wastewater is the dominant source, generating approximately 91,343 m³/day, with 95% treated in centralized plants. Industrial discharges totaled 47.3 × 10³ m³/year and are projected to exceed 74.1 × 10³ m³/year by 2035, coinciding with a shift toward stricter effluent standards. Aquaculture produced nearly 18,000 tonnes of fish and mollusks, releasing an estimated 1,800 tonnes of nitrogen and 360 tonnes of phosphorus annually, with production expected to rise by 50% by 2030. Stormwater runoff contributed roughly 12,000 tonnes of suspended solids and hydrocarbons per year, with future increases expected under climate change. Beyond conventional pollutants, emerging contaminants such as microplastics and pharmaceutical residues are increasingly detected, posing new risks to seafood safety, biodiversity, and human health. Sustainable management requires a multisectoral approach that integrates advanced wastewater treatment technologies, green infrastructure, and capacity-based aquaculture zoning. Enhancing monitoring of emerging contaminants, promoting cleaner industrial production, and improving stakeholder participation are also essential to minimize environmental and public health risks. The findings provide a scientific foundation for adaptive wastewater governance aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, supporting the province’s transition toward resilient and environmentally responsible coastal development.