Fresh water supplies to Hong Kong and Macao could be affected if
the present severe salt tide in south China's Guangdong Province
continues to flow, it was claimed yesterday.
The tidal phenomenon, caused by drought, is at its worst in
several years. Salt water levels in some local rivers in the
province were 12 times higher than standard drinking requirements
earlier this month.
"If the salt tide goes further, it will affect the water supply
across the Pearl River Delta region, including Hong Kong and
Macao," said Li Jianji, an official from the Guangdong Provincial
Astronomers Society.
He blamed a shortage of rainfall and the effect of a powerful
tidal pull, caused by a particular formation of planets upcoming on
December 31, for the emergence of the salt water tide.
"Water in Hong Kong and Macao, which neighbors Guangdong, comes
mainly from the province," Li told China Daily.
Supplies to the eastern Pearl River Delta region, such as
Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, is currently
guaranteed as water levels in the Dongjiang River, the cities'
water source, remains high due to water diversion, according to
Huang Qiangliang, vice-director of Guangdong Department of Water
Resources.
The Guangdong water authority introduced water rationing in the
area of the Dongjiang River from mid-December to control
levels.
As a result, the river's salt content has been diluted, Li
said.
The water rationing project will last until April next year,
when the drought season is expected to end, in a bid to ensure
water quality for residents' use, according to Li.
Sources with the authority added that a new water diversion
project from Beijiang River in northern Guangdong to Xijiang River
will be introduced early in January next year, to better combat the
salt tide.
The Xijiang River is currently the most severely affected area
by the phenomenon.
Macao's water supply could be greatly affected if the salt tide
continues in Zhuhai of Guangdong, which draws most of its water in
Xijiang River. At present, nearly 99 percent of supplies in Macao
come from Zhuhai.
The drinking water content of chlorine hygronium, the main salt
element, in Zhuhai has been controlled at 800 milligrams per
liter.
The standard content in drinking water is only 250 milligrams
per liter.
"There is only one reservoir in Macao, and if Zhuhai is greatly
affected by the salt tide, the water supply in Macao will also be
severely affected," said Chen Zhuhuang, an official with the Zhuhai
Water Supply Company.
(China Daily December 30, 2005)