South China's Guangdong Province will invest 600 million yuan (US$72.5 million) from 2003 to 2005 to protect the sources of drinking water.
According a survey conducted in 2001, the quality of drinking water sources in nine cities along the Pearl River, the major river in the province, was up to standards.
However, in other five cities including Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the water sources were found to contain an excessive level of organic matters such as ammonia and nitrogen.
New measures will be taken to improve the sources of drinking water in the province. For instance, any kind of sewage discharge will be restricted and livestock yards may not be built near the water sources.
(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2002)
