Underground water quality a big issue in China

Underground water quality remains a big issue in Chinese cities, with recent water monitoring revealing that the majority of cities have underground water which is ‘bad or extremely bad’.

China's Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) recently released the figures for 2011 which were based on sample tests from 200 cities. The results showed that underground water quality in 40.3 per cent of the 4,727 monitored sites was bad, and another 14.7 per cent of sites were extremely bad. The figures have been released in an annual report on national land resources.

On the other hand, the results showed 45 per cent of sites tested to be comparatively good, good or excellent in terms of their underground water quality. But this equates to under half of the entire country, and is certainly nothing to celebrate about.

This sentiment was reflected in the MLR report, which stated: "The overall situation of the country's underground water quality allows for no optimism.” The rates are slightly better than that of 2010, where more than 57 per cent of monitored sites reported bad or extremely bad underground water quality, but still nowhere near good enough.

Details of how or where the water pollution was originating from where unclear, but many experts believe that the fast economic growth and a rapidly urbanizing society have been blamed for water pollution in China.

The state of the rivers also showed no ground for optimism. 40 per cent of Chinese rivers were seriously polluted and unfit for drinking after 75 billion tonnes of sewage and wastewater were discharged in 2010, MWR data showed.

Action has been taken by the State Council, or China’s Cabinet, which includes new guidelines which were unveiled in February. These guidelines will regulate the use of water under much stricter criteria, as well as tightening the supervision over the exploitation of underground water and further protect sources of drinking water.

Posted by Claire Manning