Clearing the way with clean waters(2)

Workers at the Shanxi Reservoir in Wenzhou put fry into the reservoir in December 2012. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

For years, agricultural waste and urban wastewater had polluted a river running through the old poultry-farming township from the Shanxi reservoir. Research by local experts showed that poultry farming contributed about 62 percent of the pollutants in the reservoir region.

Waste from pig farming in the reservoir area was also a problem.

But in the one and a half years since the Wenzhou government's massive green campaign, the number of pigs in the area has dropped from 242,100 to the current 16,600, authorities said.

Following the Wenzhou government's restoration campaign, the Shanxi reservoir area has since been supporting a renewed ecosystem including birds, fish and aquatic plants.

"As the major source of water for the city, improving the water quality is crucial as it is directly linked to citizens' health," Wang said, adding that the top priority is to provide residents with the cleanest water.

Wenzhou water authorities plan to invest more than 1.6 billion yuan before 2017 to clean up the Shanxi reservoir.

As of June, up to 695 million yuan have been used to protect the reservoir and build nearby wastewater and garbage treatment factories, according to the Wenzhou water resources bureau.

The water quality in the reservoir has also improved from the fifth grade to the second grade - certified for extensive drinking water supplies this year.

As one of the earliest coastal cities to open up in China, Wenzhou is again taking the lead in fighting water pollution.

Other cities like Beijing and Shanghai are joining in the battle against water pollution, following decades of industrial growth.

"Guaranteeing safe drinking water to the urban and rural population has been on top of the agenda of water authorities at all levels," said Zhang Hongxing, an official with the Ministry of Water Resources.

The quality of 90 percent of the nation's reservoirs for drinking water meets the national standard, according to the ministry.

Since 2006, the Ministry of Water Resources released 175 key source water sites, which are under annual examination and assessment. The Shanxi reservoir is on the list.

The country's leadership has repeatedly promised all-out efforts to conserve resources and curb pollution. When President Xi Jinping was governor of Zhejiang from 2002 to 2007, he emphasized important water programs that covered the provision of safe drinking water, effective water conservancy and wastewater treatment.

Feng Qiang, deputy director of the Zhejiang water resources bureau, said that the Zhejiang authorities have vowed to tap technology to provide safe drinking water for its population within seven years.