After concerted efforts from local governments in north China's
Hebei and Shanxi provinces, the water quality in all
sections of the Dasha River, which was contaminated by 60 tons of
coal tar from an overturned truck last week, has returned to
normal.
The Hebei provincial government earmarked 5 million yuan
(US$625,094) for the clear-up and by Monday evening, 4,470 tons of
contaminated water had been piped out.
But now the area is facing possible floods, with heavy rain
forecast for the next three days. Flood emergency plans have been
drafted and the authorities have built a dam one kilometer away
from the source of the water supply to Fuping county to ensure the
safety of the 50,000 residents.
(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2006)
