Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 25, 2002
Beijing Begins Dredging Its 2nd Largest Reservoir
Two Dutch-made dredgers began operating on Beijing's Guanting Reservoir on Tuesday, marking the launching of a project to clean up the second largest source of drinking water for the nation's capital. The reservoir, with a total capacity of 4.16 billion cubic meters, was first built in 1954 and has been extended four times since then.
Two Dutch-made dredgers began operating on Beijing's Guanting Reservoir on Tuesday, marking the launching of a project to clean up the second largest source of drinking water for the nation's capital.
The dredging project is expected to cost 34.96 million yuan (4.23 million US dallars)and will be completed by the end of August.
The reservoir, with a total capacity of 4.16 billion cubic meters, was first built in 1954 and has been extended four times since then.
Water supply and quality are top concerns for the municipal government of Beijing, the host of the 2008 Olympic Games.
China to Invest Billions in Water Projects
China plans to invest 24 billion yuan (US$2.89 billion) in projects to alleviate the water shortage in Beijing and its surrounding areas.
The Beijing municipal government will invest 17 billion yuan (US$2.05 billion) in projects for water saving, pollution control and water recycle.
Beijing is one of the most populous regions in China. Its annual water consumption reached 4 billion cubic meters.
Most of Beijing's urban water comes from Guanting and Miyun reservoirs. Because of severe pollution in Shanxi and Hebei provinces, Guanting Reservoir lost its function as a drinking water resource in 1997. >>details