Authorities on alert as pollution spreads
Source: Xinhua |
January 28, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTHORITIES in south China are monitoring a river after traces of a cancer-causing chemical were discovered downstream of a pollution incident.
Cadmium was detected in the Liujiang River in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Thursday afternoon, the city's environmental protection bureau said.
This was more than 10 days after industrial waste from a local mining company polluted the Longjiang River, a tributary upstream of the Liujiang, said officials.
But tests every two hours have indicated that the pollution was not severe and no apparent harm had been done to the Liujiang River's upper reaches, the city's major drinking water source, said Gan Jinglin, environmental chief in Liuzhou, which has a population of 3.7 million.
"The water is still up to national standards and is safe for drinking," said Gan.
But local authorities warned citizens not to fetch water direct from polluted stretches.
Meanwhile, the government has begun looking for alternative water sources, fearing the pollution may spread.
The city has opened sluice gates at four upstream hydro power stations in a bid to dilute the pollutants.
And the local market watchdog has moved to ensure prices for bottled water remain stable and supplies are sufficient.
Guangxi Jinhe Mining Co Ltd has been held responsible for discharging waste and polluting the Longjiang River in Hechi City on January 15.
In Hechi, the pollution killed many fish and prompted panic buying of bottled water.
Firefighters put hundreds of tons of neutralizing aluminum chloride into the Longjiang River to dissolve the contamination.
Cadmium levels have been declining in the Longjiang River since Thursday, the local government said.
But as of yesterday, more than 220 farmers and their families in two villages near the Longjiang River in Yizhou, a county-level city in Hechi, had been relying on government-rationed water for almost 10 days. Well water remained unsafe for drinking.
The local government said 9.4 tons of water - 520 barrels - had been delivered to the villagers since January 18, and 2,000 tons is in storage.
Villager Wang Jinhui, 53, said he would normally fetch river water for cooking, drinking and bathing. But now his family of four is using barrels.
"Each family gets two barrels a day. You can ask for more if you have guests," said Wang.
Cadmium, an element often found in industrial effluent, is carcinogenic.
Cadmium was detected in the Liujiang River in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Thursday afternoon, the city's environmental protection bureau said.
This was more than 10 days after industrial waste from a local mining company polluted the Longjiang River, a tributary upstream of the Liujiang, said officials.
But tests every two hours have indicated that the pollution was not severe and no apparent harm had been done to the Liujiang River's upper reaches, the city's major drinking water source, said Gan Jinglin, environmental chief in Liuzhou, which has a population of 3.7 million.
"The water is still up to national standards and is safe for drinking," said Gan.
But local authorities warned citizens not to fetch water direct from polluted stretches.
Meanwhile, the government has begun looking for alternative water sources, fearing the pollution may spread.
The city has opened sluice gates at four upstream hydro power stations in a bid to dilute the pollutants.
And the local market watchdog has moved to ensure prices for bottled water remain stable and supplies are sufficient.
Guangxi Jinhe Mining Co Ltd has been held responsible for discharging waste and polluting the Longjiang River in Hechi City on January 15.
In Hechi, the pollution killed many fish and prompted panic buying of bottled water.
Firefighters put hundreds of tons of neutralizing aluminum chloride into the Longjiang River to dissolve the contamination.
Cadmium levels have been declining in the Longjiang River since Thursday, the local government said.
But as of yesterday, more than 220 farmers and their families in two villages near the Longjiang River in Yizhou, a county-level city in Hechi, had been relying on government-rationed water for almost 10 days. Well water remained unsafe for drinking.
The local government said 9.4 tons of water - 520 barrels - had been delivered to the villagers since January 18, and 2,000 tons is in storage.
Villager Wang Jinhui, 53, said he would normally fetch river water for cooking, drinking and bathing. But now his family of four is using barrels.
"Each family gets two barrels a day. You can ask for more if you have guests," said Wang.
Cadmium, an element often found in industrial effluent, is carcinogenic.
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