Beijing along with two upstream neighbors, Hebei and Shanxi provinces, yesterday pledged to intensify co-operation to guarantee the sustainability of the capital city's water supply over the next three years.

Water authorities from Beijing Municipality and the two provinces are to launch a series of projects to deal with the most serious potential problem to plague Beijing.

Under a agreement signed by the three parties yesterday in Beijing, the capital city will be guaranteed a viable water supply by 2005 with the help of hundreds of new and renovated projects aimed at protecting Beijing's water resources, popularizing water-conservation, controlling pollution and facilitating reasonable distribution of water resources.

This year, Beijing's goal is to store 350 million cubic meters of water, double that of last year, in Miyun Reservoir, the sole drinking water source for more than 10 million residents.

Meanwhile, the quality of water in Guanting Reservoir, a major source for local industries, is expected to be improved, Jiao Zhizhong, director of Beijing Water Resources Bureau, said.

Officials from Hebei and Shanxi provinces have promised to accelerate their control of water pollution and soil erosion by increasing investment in sewage treatment projects and afforestation.

Sou Lisheng, vice-minister of water resources, was confident that the projects can balance water supply against consumption in Beijing before fresh water from the Yangtze River in the south is diverted to the city.

Beijing is one of the most populous regions in China. Its annual water consumption has reached 4 billion cubic meters.

(China Daily February 19, 2003)