Beijing Adopts Strict Control on Water ConsumptionFacing the danger of drought as a result of rare rains, the Chinese capital Beijing plans to adopt a series of strict and obligatory measures on water consumption.The measures include introducing a quota system for water usage in industrial enterprises and in hotels, restaurants, and colleges and universities. Beijing plans to save 70 million cubic meters of water this year, 50 percent more than the amount for 1999. While all the industrial enterprises will be subject to an upper limit in their water consumption, those enterprises which waste water resources and generate heavy pollution will have to upgrade their technological level within a limited time period so as to use water economically or they will be forced out of production. Stricter control will also be imposed on water consumption in sectors which consume a large amount of water, such as the car- washing business and public bathhouses. Statistics show that per capita water resources in Beijing stands at 300 cubic meters, about one-eighth of the national average and one-thirtieth of the world's average. The city is now facing the strike of drought as the arid weather since last year has resulted in sharp decline in the water level in the city's reservoirs and in the underground water level. In other water-saving moves, the city also plans to replace the irrigation system in downtown Beijing with a more water-saving system and adopt a quota system in water usage among households on an experimental basis. Water used daily by Beijing residents is expected to be reduced under 130 cubic meters by the year 2002. |
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