The October report released by the Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau indicates that the quality of water in 17 of the 22 major river sections in the southern province is up to the national standard, with five failing to meet requirements.

Experts said most of the river sections across the province can be used as sources of drinking water with only a few being polluted to different extents.

The report will be released at the end of every month and includes 19 types of data. Starting next year, it will cover 24 evaluation categories, and in six months time, reports will be issued every week, according to local sources.

At present, the water-quality monitoring system covers 59 major river sections in Guangdong and provides 100,000 data on water quality every year.

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2002)