It's been 17 days since dangerous levels of cadmium were found in the Longjiang River of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. After days of continuous clean up work, there are finally some signs of relief.

Firefighters deliver drinking water for villagers living along the upstream section of the Liujiang River, which runs through Liuzhou City, due to the recent cadmium pollution of the Longjiang River, an upstream tributary of the Liujiang River.

According to the local environmental protection bureau, the source of cadmium pollution in the Longjiang River has been successfully contained and tap water in the nearby city of Liuzhou is now safe to drink.

Latest data from various monitoring sites in the river show cadmium concentration levels have dropped substantially from the initial 80 times the safe limit.

A local citizen pours water for cooking in Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 31, 2012.

Those suspected of dumping the pollutant into the river, are now under investigation, including the heads of six metal companies and a zinc copper mine in the region.