Vice-minister of construction has said that the country is "facing a water crisis more severe and urgent than any other country in the world."

Speaking at the first International Conference for China Urban Water Development Strategies, which closed yesterday in Beijing, Vice-Minister Qiu Baoxing, said the government was to raise the cities' wastewater treatment rate from 45.6 percent to 60 percent in five years, with major cities reaching 70 percent.

"We've got to solve the problem before it is too late," warned Qiu.

Qiu said China should draw lessons from developed countries, which have paid heavy costs in tackling environmental pollution.

"We must take precautionary measures before the urban water ecosystem collapses," Qiu said.

Qian Yi, professor of environmental engineering from Tsinghua University and Chinese Academy of Engineering, said China's water crisis consists of two problems: the shortage of water resources and the pollution of water.

Qian said China's present per capita water availability is 2,200 square metres, about a quarter of the world average level. By 2030, the figure will drop to 1,760.

In addition, among China's seven major rivers, five are seriously polluted. The worst is the Haihe River near Beijing and Tianjin: 60 percent of its water falls into the lowest water quality category.

"Short-sightedness in economic development accompanied with environmental destruction is still widespread in China," Qian said.

Qian said more than 20 percent of the water supply in China's cities was leaked out from water pipe networks, an intolerable waste.

Qiu said the government is carrying out a reform in the urban water industry by introducing more market mechanisms.

At the same time, the government will strengthen its supervision on bidding, pricing, and controlling water quality and safety.

"We have established market mechanisms in the water industry and welcome foreign investment, which will bring us cutting-edge technologies and management methods," Qiu said.

Qiu said the government has stepped up its efforts to save water in the past 20 years.

Qiu revealed that the Ministry of Construction is now working with the Ministry of Health to work out a new set of standards for drinking water.

(China Daily November 1, 2005)