A case of water pollution was reported Friday in Sanchajiang River of Wuchuan City in south China's Guangdong Province, posing a threat to the safety of drinking water for nearly 40,000 locals.

 

Fish were found dead in large quantity at eight ponds of a fishery farm at Lingtou Village in Changqi Township, said the farm owner, surnamed Pan. He estimated the loss at more than 200,000 yuan (US$25,000).

 

Nearby townships also reported a large number of dead fish and poisoning cases of livestock.

 

According to the local government, the polluted belt was about eight kilometers long. Water at the polluted belt turns brown in color.

 

The pollution has affected the life of about 40,000 people. The local government has already ordered waterworks at the polluted areas to stop fetching water from the river and urged all local markets to stop selling aquatic products to avoid food poisoning cases.

 

Currently, hospitals in Wuchuan City have not received any people who are poisoned by polluted water or by eating polluted aquatic products.

 

Preliminary investigation shows that the pollutants were illegally discharged by an enterprise at the river's upstream, according to the Wuchuan city environmental protection bureau.

 

By press time, investigation into the cause of the pollution is still going on and experts estimate that the quality of water in the river will resume normal in upcoming two or three days.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2006)