Officials from Ministry of Construction (MOC) briefed media on its efforts in the prevention and control of water pollution in the country's key river valleys, and urban sewage disposal at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday.

According to the country's 10th Five-year (2001-2005) Plan on Prevention and Control of Water Pollution in China's Key River Valleys and Urban Sewage Disposal, which was approved by the State Council, the MOC is responsible for enhancing instruction and supervision on urban sewage and trash disposal.

The MOC has set up a leadership group and office, and has organized experts to conduct research and investigations into the issue. It has also given reform suggestions on key rivers and water projects including Huaihe River, Taihu Lake, Haihe River, Three Gorges Reservoir and South-to-North Water Diversion Project.

According to the MOC, there are currently 907 sewage disposal projects in 10 key river valleys, with a designed disposal capacity of 48 million tons per day. By the end of March this year, 22 percent of them had been completed, 22 percent are still under construction, and 26 percent are at the initial preparation stage.

Huaihe River valley

There are 161 urban sewage disposal projects along the Huaihe River with a general disposal capacity of 6.14 million tons per day. About 31 percent have already been completed, 31 percent are under construction, and preparations are underway for the remaining 38 percent.

Three Gorges Reservoir

A total of 77 sewage treatment plants with a general daily disposal capacity of 4.24 million cubic meters were planned for the Three Gorges Reservoir, of which 16 plants have been completed with a general daily capacity of 425,000 cubic meters, and 17 are under construction with a daily capacity of 1.30 million cubic meters.

The basic sewage and trash disposal facilities in the Three Gorges Reservoir are weak. Moreover, professional personnel and technologies in operations and management are lacking. In order to enhance the management standards of pollution control and effectively use investment and current facilities, the MOC held a special meeting to design better solutions.

South-to-North Water Diversion Project

Along the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, 102 sewage treatment plants were planned, with a general daily capacity of 4.68 million cubic meters, of which 22 have been completed and already put into operation, disposing an average of 1.13 million cubic meters each day. Another 32 are under construction, with a daily disposal capacity of 1.54 million cubic meters. The plants already in operation have played an important role in improving the local environment, and those that will come into operation in the near future are expected to improve the situation still further.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian and Zhang Tingting, June 8, 2005)