After concerted efforts from local governments in north China's Hebei and Shanxi provinces, the water quality in all sections of the Dasha River, which was contaminated by 60 tons of coal tar from an overturned truck last week, has returned to normal.

The Hebei provincial government earmarked 5 million yuan (US$625,094) for the clear-up and by Monday evening, 4,470 tons of contaminated water had been piped out.

But now the area is facing possible floods, with heavy rain forecast for the next three days. Flood emergency plans have been drafted and the authorities have built a dam one kilometer away from the source of the water supply to Fuping county to ensure the safety of the 50,000 residents.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2006)