As of Wednesday, Beijing will ban the sales of toilets with a water tank capacity of nine liters and spiral adjustable faucets.
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According to a set of rules on water saving promulgated by the Beijing Municipal Government, government office and local residents will be fined if they do not use water economically.
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Car wash's are required to use water saving devices and install water recycling equipment. The fine for wasting water can be as much as 20,000 yuan (2,410 U.S. dollars).
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Water permeability will be a new criterion used for new roads to be built in the Chinese capital in the future. The roads must be pervious for water so the underground water level can rise.
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Lawns built in the municipality must be lower than the road surface.
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Beijing encourages the offices and residents to collect and use rain water with special equipment.
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Water quotas have been set for bathing, car washing, garden irrigation and beverage plants. Water consumed above the quota can be charged 15 times that of the original water price.
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Beijing has suffered from water shortages as the per capita water resources is around 300 cubic meters, which is one-eighth of the national average, or one-30th of the world average.
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Beijing has adopted a series of water saving measures, which are expected to save 187 million cubic meters of water annually.

(Beijing-2008 21/12/2000)