China: 80% of water in rural Northeast is not drinkable

(Baonghean.vn) - China's Ministry of Water Resources said on April 12 that more than 80% of well water in the northeastern region is unfit for use. However, the ministry also affirmed that the water supply to urban areas is still safe.

A farmer waters his field in Shandong Province. Most of the water from wells in northeastern China is not drinkable.

The main cause of pollution is that northern China has a large concentration of industrial zones and this is one of the most polluted areas.

China's Ministry of Water Resources reported on April 12 that it had tested more than 2,000 groundwater wells in the country's northern and eastern regions. More than 30 percent of the water was of grade 4 quality, which is suitable for industrial and agricultural use. In addition, nearly 50 percent of the water samples were of grade 5 quality, which is unsuitable for human use under any circumstances.

In addition, the Ministry also said that drinking water in urban areas is taken from “good quality” underground aquifers, 85% of which meets national quality standards.

However, the reported figures have raised concerns about the increasing levels of water and air pollution in China, forcing the government to take measures to cut pollution.

The Chinese government is currently implementing a five-year plan that pledges to improve environmental standards, focusing on improving water and soil quality and cutting industrial pollution, despite an economy that is showing signs of slowing and still heavily dependent on heavy industries.

Thanh Hien

(According to BBC)