Pressure on Control of Water Pollution Still Big    

Zhou Shengxian, Minister of Environmental Protection, reported on December 24th the current status of controlling water pollution to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.
   Nationwide progress is considerable, Zhou said. The water quality in the key rivers and lakes has been improved. As of September 2008 total 881 pollution control and treatment projects have been completed and put into use, and other 960 projects are under construction. As of October 2008 China has built up 1 459 urban waste water treatment plants with a daily capacity of 85.53 million tons. Total input in controlling water pollution amounted to RMB338.76 billion in 2007, equivalent to 1.36% of that year's GDP.
    China's water environment security is still at risk, Zhou pointed out. More than 20% of water is detected at the worst grade. Huge pressure is still there. Zhou claimed to accelerate the phase-out of outdated facilities and factories in papermaking, dyeing sectors and promote technological upgrade. Stricter discharge standards are needed in the key drainage regions including Taihu Lake.