Construction of a French-funded waterworks station was recently completed at Xinghuo economic development zone in a suburb of Shanghai, according to sources from the local water works bureau.
With a daily water supply capacity of 100,000 tons, the waterworks station is the third foreign-funded waterworks of the city.
The waterworks station will use international advanced laboratory equipment and introduce international uniformed technological standards to enhance tap water quality and bring thewater to a drinkable standard.
In addition, Shanghai local waterworks is preparing to sell a parcel of shares to foreign companies so that they can jointly produce drinking water.
So far, two well-known international water works giants have shown interest in the plan.
Sources from the local water works bureau said that it is very common in Western countries to draw on foreign funds to jointly produce drinking water.
According to an earlier report, the Shanghai municipal government will invest more than 40 billion yuan in waterworks over the next five years.
The municipal government will also work out some preferential policies to attract foreign water works companies to cooperate with local counterparts.
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2002)
