The year's first salt tide of the East China Sea will endanger the tap-water supply for millions of local residents from January 29, the first day of the Spring Festival, Shanghai Morning Post reported today.

The Chenhang Reservoir, which supplies six local water plants that account for about one-third of the city's drinking water, will be closed, said Shanghai Raw Water Co., which forecasts salt tides and runs the reservoir.

Before January 28, water around the Chenhang Reservoir will contain more chloride than the national standard of 250 milligram a liter for a day, which won't influence the water supply of the city. But from January 29 to February 12, the chloride level will exceed the standard for five days and affect the tap-water supply.

The company said it has taken emergency measures to combat the upcoming salt tide, including transferring water from Baosteel Reservoir and reserving water before the tide comes.

(Shanghai Daily January 19, 2006)