The transport of highly toxic chemicals on the Huangpu River will be prohibited as of April 1 this year, in a bid to ensure safe drinking water for Shanghai residents.

Offenders face penalties of up to 100,000 yuan (US$12,500), according to the city's regulation governing dangerous chemicals that comes into effect in April.

The Huangpu River is the city's main water supply source.

Chemicals have leaked into the river from vessels several times in the past, posing threats to the city's water supply. However, all the incidents were dealt properly and did not cause major water pollution, an official with the municipal government said.

Shanghai has put the transportation of dangerous chemicals under tight control. The Regulation for the Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals aims to impose strict rules for the production, storage, sales, transport, application and disposition of hazardous chemicals, with a focus on highly toxic, inflammable, explosive and highly corrosive chemicals, the official said.

Vessels transporting highly toxic chemicals must be equipped with a GPS (global positioning system), the official said, adding that certain other vehicles are also required to be equipped with GPS for land transportation, the official said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2006)