Under “Innovation For Children” project, UNICEF Viet Nam and Masterise Group will soon deploy the Aquonic zero-emission toilet model in Soc Trang

Representatives from  SCG Thailand, UNICEF Viet Nam introduced the Aquonic model which will soon be installed in Soc Trang. Photo: Masterise Group

Lack of clean water continues to be a major issue affecting children all over the world, not just in Vietnam. WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) are critical components of Vietnam’s human resource development and growth engine. According to UNICEF Viet Nam, more than 80% of schools in the country have access to clean water and sanitation, but the quality of many works is questionable or has deteriorated. As a result, UNICEF always works in collaboration with the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of sustainable development in clean water and sanitation, most recently through a project with Masterise Group.

“Net Zero Aquonic” is a greenhouse gas-free wastewater treatment model comprised of compact treatment tanks with numerous components that can convert septic tank wastewater into clean, germ-free water that can be reused for irrigation or toilet flushing. The treatment system is entirely powered by clean energy generated by solar cells. In Vietnam, UNICEF will pilot and implement this initiative at Long Phu C Primary School (Soc Trang) as part of the “Innovation for Children”.

Công trình Aquonic đầu tiên tại Thái Lan (trên). Khu vực dự kiến sẽ lắp đặt công trình đầu tiên tại trường Tiểu học Long Phú C, tỉnh Sóc Trăng (dưới). Ảnh: SCG / Masterise Homes

The “Innovation for Children,” as the name implies, aims to create a safe, healthy, and sustainable living environment for Vietnamese children through innovative technology, energy, and clean water initiatives. Representatives from Masterise Group and UNICEF Viet Nam went to Soc Trang seven months after the signing ceremony to assess the situation and organize a meeting to consult with children and people. During this trip, the project introduced the local community for the first time to the zero-emission toilet initiative, which has been implemented successfully in Thailand and other countries.  

This zero-emission toilet was first installed in 2019 in a low-income residential area in Bangkok. Meeting the requirements of ISO 30500, the system achieved surprising results: up to 91% reduction in total suspended solids and a 99.99% reduction in E.coli bacteria for the wastewater treatment stage.

“Long Phu C Primary School, which has 200 students and teachers, is set to install an Aquonic tank system to meet sanitation needs. Local representatives expressed their appreciation and excitement at the meeting when this initiative will be implemented for the first time in the province. After meeting and being introduced by experts to successful Aquonic applications in Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, and India, we are looking forward to this initiative being installed and put into use soon,” Mr. Diep Thanh Hai, Principal of Long Phu C Primary School, explained how the funds would be used to improve hygiene and learning conditions for teachers and students.
“The goal of Innovation for Children is to address the root of the urgent problem: climate change and children through long-term initiatives,” said Mr. Jason Turnbull, Deputy General Director of Masterise Homes and Masterise Group representative. One of the first initiatives will be the testing of a zero-emission toilet model in Soc Trang. We hope this model will be successfully tested, laying the groundwork for future replication throughout Vietnam.”