Delong Steel, located in Xingtai, Hebei Province, is one of two steel factories in the city. In 2014, the company reportedly allocated a total of 210 million RMB ($31 million) to upgrade its environmental protection equipment. The company has so far established multiple environmental protection projects.

Water samples before and after treatment (left and middle).

On Jan. 22, Si Guoliang, the Environmental Protection Bureau chief of Xingtai, paid a visit to the company. Si drank up a cup of recycled water, indicating his confidence in the water's quality and the company's performance. Staffers said the quality of the water has surpassed national drinking water standards. 

Fish swim in the recycled water.