China will spend around 332 billion yuan to accelerate construction and restoration work on urban wastewater treatment facilities and the subsidiary water pipe network. It will also expand investment channels to encourage more parties to participate in operating the urban water supply infrastructure, wastewater management and solid waste treatment facilities.

 

The Deputy Director of the Policy Research Center of the Ministry of Construction, Qin Hong, revealed the plans at the China Water Congress 2007, in Beijing from Thursday to Friday.

 

Qin Hong said China will work to create the necessary conditions for the re-use of recycled water. It will fully implement a market mechanism, and improve construction and operation efficiency, to ensure 70 percent of all wastewater is treated in the cities. The volume of wastewater that receives treatment every year will reach around 2.8 million cubic meters by 2010.

 

She said the government considers wastewater treatment and recycling one of the most effective ways of resolving the growing water shortage and water pollution problem in China.

 

As a result, China has been rapidly developing its wastewater treatment infrastructure. 792 wastewater treatment plants were built in 383 of the 661 cities in the country by the end of 2005. Fifty-two percent of all wastewater has treated in 2005, compared to 34 percent in 2000. The rate of wastewater treatment is now 7 percentage points above the goal set by the 10th Five-Year Plan.

 

Qin Hong also said city residents are more aware of the need to conserve water, but warned China still has to resolve a number of water conservation issues.

 

Old urban water supply pipelines currently leak large volumes of water, making them one of the main causes of inefficient water use in the cities. Water distribution networks in the cities are in urgent need of a complete overhaul.

 

The Deputy Director of the China International Engineering Consulting Corporation, Yu Xiaodong, also attended the conference.

 

He said the water tariff reforms have not effectively promoted the industrialization of urban wastewater treatment facilities. By the end of 2005, no wastewater treatment fees were collected at more than 150 cities across the country. Even when fees were collected, the sums were too small to cover the costs of constructing and operating wastewater and garbage treatment facilities.

 

The problem is expected to be resolved in accordance with the 11th Five-Year Plan. By 2010, the wastewater tariff will be levied in all cities and towns. The level of the charges will gradually increase to ensure wastewater treatment plants can operate with minor profits.

 

Considering China's current situation, it is unrealistic to lift the relatively low water fees and wastewater tariff right away. The Chinese government plans to provide subsidies to households with lower than average incomes, as well as wastewater treatment plants. The subsidies will ensure people will continue to have basic living standards while the plants operate smoothly.

 

Qin Hong said the Ministry of Construction has strengthened the supervision of the water supply in China's cities in response to the global challenge of water management. And a series of standards and regulations will also be drafted to ensure the safety of the water supply and promote sustainable use of water resources.

 

The China Water Congress 2007 is an international conference that attracts officials and industry professionals from China and aboard to discuss price reforms and sustainable development of the water sector.

 

(CRI.cn April 20, 2007)