Shanghai was hit by the first salt tide of the year on Saturday, but tap water remains safe, the municipal water authorities announced yesterday.

 

The water sample taken on Friday at the metropolis' drinking water intake station at Chenhang reservoir in the Yangtze River Delta revealed a chloride concentration of over 250 mg per liter of water, which is above the recommended water salinity level.

 

Reservoirs supplying water to the coastal city had taken steps to cope with a potential salinity crisis by maintaining high water levels in January.

 

Shanghai's daily water consumption reached 6.83 million cubic meters during the Spring Festival, a little lower than the typical amount since many local residents had traveled out of the city and industrial production slowed down during the week-long holiday.

 

The reduction in water consumption also helped to ease the pressure of maintaining clean water supplies during the salt tide, the water authorities said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2006)