With expectations and great prospects in the water supply sector, Ca Mau Water Supply Joint Stock Company (CAWACO) has constantly strived to address the essential needs of the local community. “Our company's milestones serve as a catalyst for our relentless pursuit of sustainable water supply development. We are dedicated to the preservation, exploitation, and efficient utilization of water resources, enhancing service quality and efficiency through accelerated digital transformation. Our goal is to meet the socioeconomic demands of Ca Mau province,” said Mr. Pham Phuoc Tai, General Director of CAWACO.
 Mr. Pham Phuoc Tai, General Director of CAWACO |
Constantly improved service quality
In the past years, CAWACO has always taken solid steps to sustainably develop the water supply system according to the province's general planning, protect, produce and effectively use water resources, improve service quality, and meet Ca Mau province’s socioeconomic development. Looking back on CAWACO’s milestones and achievements, Tai proudly said: “In 1975, the company was initially called the Water Supply Department and then Ca Mau Water Supply Enterprise with the main task of supplying water for residents in Ca Mau town. In 1992, due to the increasing demand for clean water, the company expanded the water supply network and established Minh Hai Water Supply Company. From 2001 to 2016, the company merged, transformed and changed its name many times. In 2016, it officially transformed into Ca Mau Water Supply Joint Stock Company, with a total water supply capacity of 40,500 cubic meters a day.”
In general, in recent years, in addition to business development, the company has consistently prioritized its public service responsibilities and has made significant contributions to the sustainable economic development of the province. This commitment is reflected in its adherence to rigorous standards on environmental protection, occupational safety and hygiene, community development, and social responsibility. Additionally, the company ensures the interests of its employees, shareholders, and consumers are well-maintained. In 2023, commercial water supply reached 16.9 million cubic meters (loss rate of 16% as per Decision 2147/QD-TTG). CAWACO achieved VND124 billion in total revenue, a net profit of VND11 billion, paid VND26 billion in taxes, and distributed 5.14% of dividends. The company has actively maintained wells, technology systems, equipment and underground water supply pipelines or supported urban beautification in localities and expanded the pipeline network to meet consumer demand.
CAWACO Customer Service Counter
The company has applied customer management software and linked with banks for collection services. Furthermore, the firm has also focused on communication, mass media, single-window service, customer care and website to provide direct guidance for customers. In 2024, the company actively participated in several charitable and community-focused initiatives. It joined a working delegation to visit and present gifts to authorities, soldiers, and residents of Truong Sa Islands and the DK-1 Rig. The company also visited and provided gifts to heroic Vietnamese mothers under the company's care. In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the company mobilized its employees to support Dien Bien province. Furthermore, It contributed to the Trade Union Shelter Fund and collaborated with the Civil Party Bloc to distribute rice to impoverished communities in Tam Giang Dong and Ly Van Lam communes for the Lunar New Year.
Figuring out situations and breakthroughs
To have the above achievements, CAWACO has undergone many difficulties and advantages intertwined. When the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee issued Decision 13/2023/QD-UBND dated May 15, 2023 on water prices in Ca Mau province, this ruling thus met urgent and practical needs and enabled CAWACO to have more investment solutions, apply science and technology to improve service quality, increase clean water sources, and better serve consumer needs, Tai said. However, as Ca Mau province naturally has a dense network of rivers and saline rivers, the water supply for daily life and production is mainly from underground water sources and there is no surface water source (reservoirs) to replace it. On the other hand, due to great impacts of climate change, the declined groundwater level and the shrinking well capacity have affected the supply and expansion of service areas for customers.
Accordingly, to overcome difficulties and adapt to the overall situation, CAWACO is determined to adhere to its business and service plans. The company always places the highest priority on quality, safety, reputation, consumer health and interests. To realize this value, at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, CAWACO also approved a solution to prioritize product quality and stable pressure to best serve customers with the motto "Quality above all, customers above all.” The remaining goals such as reducing production costs and developing the customer base are still carried out in parallel. In addition, the company has consistently promoted the integration of new scientific and technological advancements, embracing digital transformation in both production and customer management. This commitment ensures a safe, continuous, and stable water supply that aligns with the province's broader development trends. By leveraging these innovations, the company enhances labor productivity, boosts employee income and living standards, increases profitability and dividend payments, and preserves shareholders' capital.
Technicians are operating the water plant
“CAWACO's greatest success to date is not revenue, or achievements or certificates of merit but good reviews and satisfaction of customers. On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere thanks to organizations and individuals for using our services. We will always appreciate customers’ opinions and uphold the motto “Quality above all, customers above all,” said General Director Pham Phuoc Tai. In the coming time, based on its available capital, CAWACO is committed to advancing technological innovations, maintaining wells, upgrading pipelines, and expanding water supply networks to better serve its customers and local communities, he added. Regarding regular communications on water saving and water loss prevention, the company has encouraged its customers to save water economically on the one hand and popularize this activity via mass media, single-window units, customer care, website and other channels. The company has maintained its wells, technology systems, equipment and water supply pipelines and invested in water sources to expand the water supply network to meet customers' needs. Moreover, the company has called for socialized investment in construction of water supply plants to serve the people.
In 2024 - 2025, CAWACO will continue to boost scientific and technological application in production, apply digital transformation in production, management and customer service to ensure safe, continuous and stable water supply in line with the general provincial development trend, enhance its labor productivity, increase income and living standards for employees, boost profitability and dividend payment and preserve shareholders' capital. “Currently, Ca Mau province does not have any alternative to the current underground water source. To ensure safe water supply, adapt to climate change and cope with rising sea levels, the province must have another water source for backup or gradually replace groundwater. Therefore, the province needs to have a strategy and advocate using rainwater in large lakes and connecting with inter-regional water supply pipelines in provinces with freshwater sources to gradually replace the current groundwater source,” Tai noted.
By Duy Anh, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
