E. China Province to Solve Drinking Water Problem in Three Years

Shandong Province in east China plans to solve its drinking water shortage problem of the people in the next three years.

Shandong's water ration per capita is just one-sixth of the national average. About 1.5 million people in 3,440 villages have a very limited supply of drinking water.

When drought hits the coastal province every year, over 3 million people are affected.

Water conservation officials said that the province will invest millions of dollars annually in the coming three years to deal with this problem.

Under a new government plan, the officials said Shandong will build a group of small or medium-sized projects to hold or intercept water in areas which have little groundwater.

In mountainous areas and on islands, the government will help residents build structures to capture water pouring down from roofs.

The province will also build canals for villagers, and persuade people living in those areas with harsh conditions to resettle in other areas.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/