The worst algae pollution ever seen in the area has bloomed in
the Shangzhuang Reservoir, northwest of Beijing, deteriorating
water quality and killing fish, according to Beijing Times
reports.
This is the third algae bloom reported in Beijing since
mid-July. The previous two smaller algae blooms occurred on July 19
in lake water that links the Beijing Summer Palace and another area
in Beijing's eastern Chaoyang District.
The Shangzhuang Reservoir is one of the city's major reservoirs
as well as a scenic area. The reservoir is about 4.2 kilometers
long and was formed by a dam construction cutting off an old
waterway 30 kilometers northwest of the city's urban areas. The
algae bloom has covered over ten thousand square meters across the
reservoir waters.
On Monday, the Water Affairs Bureau of Haidian District said
that the algae bloom was caused by continuous high temperatures,
recent heavy rains, increased water pollution from waste discharges
into the reservoir by adjacent villages, and an increasing number
of tourists.
The bureau has ordered removal of blooms and other solid waste
from the reservoir waters, amounting to almost one ton per day,
according to reports. However, the water quality is still
deteriorating and fish are beginning to die, giving off a strong
smell over the reservoir.
The bureau says more workers have been mobilized to fight
against the pollution.
(CRI August 15, 2007)
