Shanghai will continue closing more deep wells in over-exploited groundwater areas and control groundwater exploitation to stem sedimentation, officials with the Shanghai Water Supply Administration said.

Geologists have warned that ground sedimentation may be a major problem in the city in the future.

Shanghai is losing groundwater quickly in recent years.

Intensively-located gigantic high-rises and underground construction may also increase the possibility of subsidence, said experts.

Government sources said the metropolis of Shanghai has firmly controlled groundwater consumption in the past few years. In 2004, a total of 87.51 million cubic meters of water was taken out, 10.42 million cubic meters less than in 2003. In 2005 it will use no more than 80 million cubic meters, the sources said.

To stop the ground sedimentation, constructors were also required to pour water into the tunnel so that the pressure from outside and within can be balanced as quickly as possible.

Moreover, sources said, the city poured back 14.12 million cubic meters of water and the target for 2005 would be 17 million cubic meters.

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2005)