A section of the Honghe River in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been polluted by lead, and water supply suspended, local authorities confirmed on Thursday.

Excessive lead and other heavy metals were detected in a 100-kilometer section of the Honghe River between the Longtan power station and the Du'anhe River in Dahua Yao Autonomous County. Tests on pollutant levels are underway, and the cause of the pollution is being investigated.

The Yantan water plant has stopped supplying water to local people, who now rely on water from a local power plant. The impact on six other water plants in the area is not yet known.

About 150,000 people are potentially affected.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2007)