Source: CRI

10-11-2006 14:39

Beijing will gradually start shutting down all private wells, legal and illegal, from 2008 in a bid to ensure all city residents receive a safe supply of unpolluted drinking water.

Most of the city's private wells are located in the suburbs instead of the city centre.

They were originally built to supply water for irrigation and industry, but locals later began drinking from them without official approval.

Hundreds of residents recently fell ill after drinking water from illegal wells.

Beijing health departments have now started using GPS systems to help them in their hunt for the illegal wells.

And local authorities are conducting surprise inspections.

Meanwhile, The Beijing Tap Water Company has started extending its pipelines to solve the shortage of drinking water in rural areas.

 

Editor:Lu Yuying