More than 100 universities in 23 Chinese cities have joined in an annual water saving campaign called "saving a barrel of water", which was kicked off at the Capital Normal University in Beijing Sunday.

During the campaign, college students will conduct surveys on water use in communities and design tailored plans to save water. Best plans will be implemented with financial incentives provided by sponsors of the campaign.

Zhao Yixin, head of the Beijing Environment Protection Foundation, said the campaign is focused on college students so as to motivate their parents and the local communities.

"Students will distribute brochures on water saving, and experts will give lectures in communities," said Zhao.

The campaign will also join hands with well-known websites to attract more people to join, such as competitions on water-saving ideas and photos on relevant activities. Best idea winners will be awarded tickets to the World Expo in Shanghai.

The campaign was initiated by the Coca-Cola Company and local educational departments in 2005. By the end of 2009, more than one million people in 22 Chinese cities had participated in the campaign.