Photo: Ministry of Water Resources
Everyone in rural areas will have access to safe drinking sources by 2015, reaffirmed China’s minister of water resources Chen Lei. He was speaking on 25 April 2012 at a bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.
Chen Lei, minister of water resources. Photo: China Daily
At the session, the minister presented at report on rural water resources, which stated that government would prioritise piped water systems, including the extension of urban water supply networks to rural areas.
The government is investing about 170 billion yuan (US$ 27 billion) during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) period to provide the remaining 242 million unserved rural residents and 33 million rural teachers and students with safe water. This is 100 billion yuan (US$ 16 billion) more than was allocated in 2006-2010, when 266 million people and nearly 15 million teachers and students in rural areas gained access.
An important measure to help ensure safe water for both rural and urban residents, is the introduction of new stricter water quality standards that take effect nationwide starting on 1 July 2012. Compared to the old 1985 standards, the number of water quality indicators will increase from 35 to 106.
Related news: China to ensure safe rural drinking water, WASH news Asia & Pacific, 26 Mar 2012
Related video: Rural China: Part 7 — a tap in every home, China Daily/YouTube, 05 Feb 2012
Related web sites:
- China – Ministry of Water Resources – Safe drinking water
- Wikipedia – Water supply and sanitation in the People’s Republic of China
Source: Wang Qian, China Daily, 26 Apr 2012 ; Xinhua, China.org.cn, 25 Apr 2012 ; Wu Wencong, China Daily, 15 May 2012
