e-magazine
The Hot Zone
China's newly announced air defense identification zone over the East China Sea aims to shore up national security
Current Issue
· Table of Contents
· Editor's Desk
· Previous Issues
· Subscribe to Mag
Subscribe Now >>
Weekly Watch
Expert's View
World
Nation
Business
Finance
Market Watch
Legal-Ease
North American Report
Forum
Government Documents
Expat's Eye
Health
Science/Technology
Lifestyle
Books
Movies
Backgrounders
Special
Photo Gallery
Blogs
Reader's Service
Learning with
'Beijing Review'
E-mail us
RSS Feeds
PDF Edition
Web-magazine
Reader's Letters
Make Beijing Review your homepage
Hot Links

cheap eyeglasses
Market Avenue
eBeijing

News
Special> NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2013> News
UPDATED: March 8, 2013
China Begins Underground Water Safety Investigation
Share

China has conducted investigations and research on the condition of underground water to determine the extent of pollution, a senior official from China's top economic planner said Thursday.

"Based on the results we've collected so far, the safety of underground water is generally guaranteed, particularly the safety of drinking water from underground," Du Ying, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said at a press conference.

"But we can't rule out the possibility that the pollution of underground water will worsen," Du told the press on the sidelines of the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, the top political advisory body.

He said the pollution of underground water is a problem not only in cities but also in rural areas, and is spreading from shallow aquifers to deeper aquifers.

Many Chinese were infuriated after some chemical plants in east China's Shandong Province were exposed to have illegally discharged toxic water underground directly, thus threatening the safety of underground water.

Du said the State Council, or China's cabinet, together with the local government, has sent out teams to investigate the pollution reports.

"Our investigation into the reported pollution is still under way and no conclusion has been reached," Du said.

To ensure the safety of underground water, the exploitation of underground water must be strictly restricted and related law enforcement activity should also be strengthened, Du said, adding that the government is considering drafting a special law for the protection of underground water.

According to data from the NDRC, about one-fifth of China's water consumption, or about 110 billion cubic meters, comes from underground sources every year.

In northern regions like Beijing and Hebei Province, underground water can account for over half of the water used for agricultural, industrial and residential purposes, Du said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2013)


 
Top Story
-Protecting Ocean Rights
-Partners in Defense
-Fighting HIV+'s Stigma
-HIV: Privacy VS. Protection
-Setting the Tone
Most Popular
 
About BEIJINGREVIEW | About beijingreview.com | Rss Feeds | Contact us | Advertising | Subscribe & Service | Make Beijing Review your homepage
Copyright Beijing Review All right reserved