China will implement automatic monitoring on water quality in the valleys of major rivers. Ever since January, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) has issued weekly and monthly reports on the water quality of the Huaihe River and Taihu Lake valleys.
According to the latest report, water quality of the Huaihe River and Taihu Lake is improving, but the pollution remains heavy.
China Environment Monitoring Center has set up 32 automatic monitoring stations in the Songhua, Liaohe, Haihe, Huaihe, Zhujiang, Yangtze, Yellow rivers and Taihu, Chaohu, Dianchi lakes. These stations automatically monitor water temperature and pollutants.
During 2001-2005, SEPA will build 56 more similar stations in the main valleys. By the end of 2005, the total will have come to 98, which can reflect water quality in a full scale.
At present, China's water environment monitoring has undergone a transition from density of pollutants to the combination of density and total amount. The monthly and weekly report system has taken the place of the original one, which monitors water in high, medium and low water periods. Under the new system, any water pollution accident will not be overlooked, for the monitoring is on duty around the clock.
(Xinhua 02/09/2001)
