Experts are calling for improved measures to keep a number of well-known springs flowing in Jinan, Shandong Province.

Sources say the city's water table has fallen dramatically over recent years, which is affecting famous springs such as Baotu Spring and Black Tiger Spring.

The springs are not used to supply the city with water, but have cultural importance for the city's residents.

"Introducing new water supplies for large enterprises in the eastern part of the city will be the best way to solve the problem and maintain the water table level, protecting more than 540 springs in Jinan," said Shang Guangyu, an official with the Shandong Hydrology and Water Resources Survey Bureau.

Shang, who has been involved in spring research for more than 20 years, said excessive and huge underground water exploitation in Jinan's eastern areas had directly affected the springs.

Many of Jinan's major industries are located there, including Jinan Iron and Steel Group Corporation, Jinan Huangtai Power Plant, Jinan Refined Oil Co and Jinan Pharmaceuticals Co.

Shang said Jinan did not have a shortage of water resources. Introducing water from the eastern Baluhe River and the Yellow River would be enough to fully support civil and local industrial consumption levels.

"The local government has started projects to change water supplies. It will not take long and will not cost too much. Once these plants begin relying on new water channels instead of water that affects the springs, Jinan's springs are expected to gush all year round," said Shang.

Jinan, the capital city of east China's Shandong Province, is famous for its Four Springs in the old city area Baotu Spring, Pearl Spring, Black Tiger Spring and Five Dragons Spring.

Shang said Jinan's springs had bubbled away all year long before 1930. However, due to drier weather, years of neglect and excessive ground water exploitation, some of the famous fountains dried up in the late 1990s.

(China Daily June 22, 2005)