Water quality improves in China

Water quality across China showed some slight improvement in 2008, though there were still problems nationwide, according to government officials.

China's ministry of environmental protection confirmed that 55 per cent of the water sampled was suitable for drinking, swimming and fisheries, compared to less than 50 per cent in 2007.

Contamination was also slightly reduced in 28 major lakes and reservoirs under state control.

The water was tested across the country at 409 monitoring stations and classified using a six-tier system.

Authorities attributed their success to increased investment in pollution control and harsher penalties for those violating environmental legislation.

The government spent billions of yuan in 2007 and 2008 on building wastewater treatment plants, having investigated and disciplined 120,000 Chinese businesses between 2004 and 2008.

In related news, Reuters reported last month that US commerce secretary Gary Locke said that China should make a financial contribution to reducing greenhouse gases in order to help improve global environmental health.

Written by Joseph Hutton