China will spend around 332 billion yuan to accelerate
construction and restoration work on urban wastewater treatment
facilities and the subsidiary water pipe network. It will also
expand investment channels to encourage more parties to participate
in operating the urban water supply infrastructure, wastewater
management and solid waste treatment facilities.
The Deputy Director of the Policy Research Center of the
Ministry of Construction, Qin Hong, revealed the plans at the China
Water Congress 2007, in Beijing from Thursday to Friday.
Qin Hong said China will work to create the necessary conditions
for the re-use of recycled water. It will fully implement a market
mechanism, and improve construction and operation efficiency, to
ensure 70 percent of all wastewater is treated in the cities. The
volume of wastewater that receives treatment every year will reach
around 2.8 million cubic meters by 2010.
She said the government considers wastewater treatment and
recycling one of the most effective ways of resolving the growing
water shortage and water pollution problem in China.
As a result, China has been rapidly developing its wastewater
treatment infrastructure. 792 wastewater treatment plants were
built in 383 of the 661 cities in the country by the end of 2005.
Fifty-two percent of all wastewater has treated in 2005, compared
to 34 percent in 2000. The rate of wastewater treatment is now 7
percentage points above the goal set by the 10th Five-Year
Plan.
Qin Hong also said city residents are more aware of the need to
conserve water, but warned China still has to resolve a number of
water conservation issues.
Old urban water supply pipelines currently leak large volumes of
water, making them one of the main causes of inefficient water use
in the cities. Water distribution networks in the cities are in
urgent need of a complete overhaul.
The Deputy Director of the China International Engineering
Consulting Corporation, Yu Xiaodong, also attended the
conference.
He said the water tariff reforms have not effectively promoted
the industrialization of urban wastewater treatment facilities. By
the end of 2005, no wastewater treatment fees were collected at
more than 150 cities across the country. Even when fees were
collected, the sums were too small to cover the costs of
constructing and operating wastewater and garbage treatment
facilities.
The problem is expected to be resolved in accordance with the
11th Five-Year Plan. By 2010, the wastewater tariff will be levied
in all cities and towns. The level of the charges will gradually
increase to ensure wastewater treatment plants can operate with
minor profits.
Considering China's current situation, it is unrealistic to lift
the relatively low water fees and wastewater tariff right away. The
Chinese government plans to provide subsidies to households with
lower than average incomes, as well as wastewater treatment plants.
The subsidies will ensure people will continue to have basic living
standards while the plants operate smoothly.
Qin Hong said the Ministry of Construction has strengthened the
supervision of the water supply in China's cities in response to
the global challenge of water management. And a series of standards
and regulations will also be drafted to ensure the safety of the
water supply and promote sustainable use of water resources.
The China Water Congress 2007 is an international conference
that attracts officials and industry professionals from China and
aboard to discuss price reforms and sustainable development of the
water sector.
(CRI.cn April 20, 2007)
