China groundwater 60 per cent polluted

China has announced several measures over the last few months in an effort to tackle the high levels of air pollution affecting many areas of the country. However, the country also has high levels of water pollution to deal with, according to state media, which reports that around 60 per cent of groundwater in China is too polluted to be drunk.

The latest survey from the Ministry of Land and Resources found that the quality of water in 203 Chinese cities was found to be "very poor" or "relatively poor" last year, reported the official Xinhua news agency. Poor water quality could impact crop growing as well as the amount of drinkable water available across the country.

Water that is found to be relatively poor in quality in the survey is not suitable for drinking without first undergoing treatment, whereas very poor water is not suitable for drinking at all. The amount of water in the country that is not suitable for drinking increased from 57.4 per cent in 2012 to 60 per cent in 2013.The findings add to the number of environmental problems faced by China.

The high levels pollution across land, air and water in China is a result of the economic boom that has lasted several decades, with industry continuously driving forward. This fight for progress has come at a high environmental cost, which is affecting citizens of the country as well as the wider world by fuelling climate change.

Water quality findings follow on from the announcement earlier in the month (April) that around 16 per cent of the country's land is too polluted for use. This includes around a fifth of farmland that is affected by dangerous elements like cadmium. 

Although the central government is said to be "declaring war" on pollution, actions have been met with resistance from industry, which still appears to be placing development above environment in its priorities. This means that it is likely that some steps will be difficult to implement or will not have as large an impact as intended.