An emergency water-saving plan has come into force in the capital city of Shandong Province because a thousand-year-old spring seems doomed to dry-up, Xinhua News Agency reported today.

 

The plan, announced by Jinan City's Water Saving Office, requires factories and companies to reduce their planned water consumption in April and May. Any excess in water consumption will be charged at nine times the rate of normal water use, the report said.

 

Baotu Spring (file photo)

 

The city government is hoping that thrift in water use will ease the drought situation in Baotu Spring, which has been dubbed "The No.1 spring in the world," the report said.

 

The landmark spot Baotu Spring has suffered a shortage of water since a drought hit Jinan last autumn. The water depth is now around 27.6 meter underground, a red line that indicates a possible drying up of the 3,543-year-old spring.

 

Companies and factories in Jinan which is famous for its spectacular springs are supposed to cut their water consumption by at least 10 percent while companies in service industry should decrease by 15 percent, the report said.

 

The water authorities will also carry out a citywide check on car-washing shops, bathing houses, schools and neighborhoods to prevent water wastage, the report said.

 

Baotu Spring, located in the center of Jinan City, is renowned for its continuous pouring of water from an underground cave night and day. Sometimes the water will spout as high as 26.49 meters in the air, according to the official Website of the spring.

 

(Shanghai Daily April 18, 2007)