Construction of two sewage treatment plants began Friday in Shanghai, east China.

The Zhuyuan No.1 sewage treatment plant and the Bailonggang plant could process 1.7 million and 1.2 million tons of waste water a year respectively, official sources said.

The two plants cost a total of 1.48 billion yuan (about US$178.74 million) and are expected to be in service by the end of 2003.

Their operation is expected to greatly reduce pollution at the mouth of the Yangtze River, which has become a major outlet for Shanghai's waste water.

Shanghai has spent over 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 million) over the past two decades on sewage treatment, including the building of 31 sewage treatment facilities.

The city is now negotiating with the World Bank for loans to finance its ambitious sewage treatment plan, under which 70 percent of its sewage will be treated by 2005.

The percentage will further rise to 80 percent by 2010 and to 90 percent by 2020.

( June 8, 2002)