It is no exaggeration to liken the drinking water supply in
cities to people's lifeline.
In recent years, along with population growth, accelerated
industrialization, and urbanization, more and more Chinese cities
are facing a severe challenge to provide clean drinking water to
their residents.
Our memories are still fresh of the blue-green algae outbreaks
that occurred earlier this year in several lakes that affected the
water supply to millions of residents.
Hence, it is good to learn that the country has initially set up
a national network to ensure drinking water safety in urban
areas.
Officials from five ministries involved in the work assured
netizens participating an online discussion yesterday that 90
percent of the drinking water that flows from the water plants in
661 Chinese cities are up to standard.
Nevertheless, urban administrators should remain vigilant and
regard drinking water safety as a top priority as any neglect of
duty could affect the quality of urban life, trigger social panic
and even threaten social stability.
At present, polluted water sources, out-dated facilities and
poor water quality monitoring are the three major problems blocking
our way to ensuring the quality of every drop of tap water.
While the national situation of water pollution has remained
serious, the pollution of water sources could be even more
worrisome.
Official statistics show ground water in more than half of
Chinese cities is polluted, and the ecological systems of major
rivers have been damaged.
Environment protection departments should redouble their efforts
to reduce water pollution cases and protect water sources so as to
ensure safe drinking water supply in cities from its very
source.
To bring their supply of drinking water up to the new national
standard adopted in July, urban administrators must work to
renovate outdated water supply facilities and quicken steps in
setting up an efficient water quality monitoring system.
A sound monitoring system would help detect any abnormal changes
in drinking water supply, and trigger an early response before a
crisis sets in.
(China Daily November 21, 2007)