Chongqing, the leading industrial center in western China, has begun its efforts to clean up a river running through the city in seven years.
Harnessing of the river, named Taohuaxi, will involve the construction of a drainage pipeline network, a flood control project, a garbage disposal center and scenic spots along the river. The cost is estimated at 470 million yuan.
Imported bio-technology will be used to decompose organic matters in the river, dissolve silt and do away with bad smell produced by sulfureted hydrogen.
Chongqing is one of the heavily polluted cities in western China. Over half of the water discharged into the Taohuaxi River, a major river in the city, failed to meet the state required standard as industrial firms and residents discharged 60,000 tons of untreated waste water into the river.
(People's Daily January 17, 2002)
