Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional government has initiated a second degree environmental emergency response. For South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the fight to contain a water contamination is heating up.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional government has initiated a second degree environmental emergency response.

Excessive amounts of the toxic metal cadmium were detected downstream of the Longjiang river on Thursday. And this comes nearly two weeks after industrial waste from a local mining company polluted a tributary upstream.

Now, contaminated water in the Longjiang River is approaching Liuzhou, the region's second largest city.

A city of around 1.5 million relies on the Liujiang River, downstream of the cadmium contaminated Longjiang River. Municipal water supply and processing systems there are on high alert.

Vice executive manager of Liuxi municipal water facility, Huang Yongqiang said, "The facility has modified some processing equipment to cope with the contamination. Currently, the most effective measure to reduce the level of cadmium is to add chemicals to neutralize and turn the cadmium into sediment, which can then be sifted out. "

However, there are considerable hurdles in coping with the contaminated river, especially as it is so cold, and its level so low.

Engineer of emergency response team Zhang Jinsong said, "The contamination upstream of the Liujiang River is significant, and water volume over winter is kind of low; moreover, winter temperatures are low. All these factors combined add difficulties for dilution and various chemical measures."

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional government has initiated a second degree environmental emergency response. On Monday, vice Chairman of the region, Lin Nianxiu, arrived at the Liuxi water facility to inspect the situation, showing determination to handle the issue.

Liu said, "We'll do whatever we can to make sure the Liujiang River in and around Liuzhou city reaches safe level, and ensure a stable water supply in Liuzhou city, including possibly tapping an underground water supply system as backup. We will make sure the tap water coming from the municipal water facility becomes safe to consume. "

For now, bottled water is going fast at local supermarkets. And Liuzhou residents are preparing for the worst.

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