The canal of the south-to-north water diversion project in Handan of north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)
PROTECTING WATER SOURCE AREAS
To ensure the water quality, China has invested heavily to prevent and treat water pollution and conserve soil in the reservoir and its upper reaches since 2016. Environmental authorities have shut down all factories near the reservoir that could threaten water quality.
Over the past five years, the water quality of Danjiangkou has been kept at the level of Grade II or higher, which means the water is suitable for drinking after filtration.
Nowadays, the Danjiangkou Reservoir has become a paradise for egrets. "Instead of being destroyed by sending water to the north, our ecological environment has benefited from the project," said 35-year-old Zhang Weibin, chief engineer of a local sewage plant.
Experts pointed out China will still face an obvious gap between water supply and demand in the long run as population soars and cities expand.
In the future, the government should continue to ensure the safe operation of the water transfer project, while encouraging residents to use water more effectively, said Ni Guangheng, a water resource professor with Tsinghua University.
