Chinese capital nearly out of water — paper

Press, 13 April 1982, Page 6

Chinese capital nearly out of water — paper

The water shortage in Peking caused by more than tw’O. years of near-drought has further worsened after another dry winter and spring; the official' Peking “People's Daily” said yesterday.

Levels in the city’s two main reservoirs were very low and 82 smaller reservoirs were almost dry.

Flow from mountain springs had stopped, rivers were nearly empty and the underground water table had dropped I 'drastically, it said. The city government had urged all users to conserve as much water as possible and factories consuming more than thier quota were being charged at punitive rates.

The rainy season is not due until next month.

A Government scientist said two months ago that- a huge hollow measuring 1000 sq km had formed beneath Peking after a two-to-three metre drop in the water table.

The paper said that .400 million cu m less water was, in the main Guanting dtid Miyun reservoirs than a yeah ago and the daily output of Peking’s 272 suburban 'wells

was' 70,000 tonnes less than at the same time last year. Everyday life in Peking seems little affected by the shortage, and despite the much-publicised crisis municipal trucks are still seen regularly spraying the

streets at night with the precious liquid. The nearby port city of Tianjin has had to divert water from the murky Yellow River after Peking was given priority for reservoir supplies.