East China’s Jiangsu province has spared no efforts in recent years to tackle and rein in water pollution by curbing the direct discharge of domestic sewage and industrial wastewater into the Yangtze River and local watercourses.
Qinglong River is a tributary leading into the Yangtze River in Haimen District, Nantong City. Nowadays, the clear water and green grass make the river the first choice for nearby residents to take a leisurely stroll. But a year ago, this river was criticized by the central government for the direct discharge of domestic sewage and industrial and aquaculture wastewater.
a villager
It used to be dirty, smelly and messy
with old factory buildings
and the water was full of garbage and dirty things
In order to keep water pollution at bay, Haimen District set up a command office to investigate the 130 sewage discharge outlets and make plans for the interception of the sewages into the pipelines that lead to sewage works.
The local government also shut down 18 factories and launched special programs to address water pollution.
Jiang Yong, vice mayor, Haimen District, Nantong city
We ensure the normal and long-term effects
of the rivers entering the river
and make due efforts for the protection of the Yangtze River
Taking environmental issues as an opportunity, regional governments across Jiangsu have accelerated the pace of green development and transformation along the Yangtze River.
Changzhou Binjiang Economic Development Zone invested about 2.563 billion yuan to improve environmental infrastructure, reconstruct the drainage system, and equip with online monitoring equipment. Before the regulation, local media operator carried a report on the illegal discharge of large amounts of chemical wastewater from the North Gate of Longjiang River.
Jiang Hao, Director of Changzhou Binjiang Economic Development Zone Administration
By next year, we will fully complete the construction
of an ecological corridor within one kilometer along the river
and give the people a beautiful scene
of one river and spring water with greenery on both sides
Focusing on improving the water environment of the Yangtze River, Jiangsu has marked off ecological environment zoning control areas, launched an urban sewage treatment campaign dubbed 333 operation, carried out the construction of ecological safety buffer zones and green islands, promoted the gradual restoration of the Yangtze River's ecological functions and continued improvement in environmental quality.
Chen Xiaoxi, Deputy Director, Integrated Business Division, Jiangsu Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment
In the next step
we will follow the General Secretary’s instructions
prioritize repairing the eco-environment of the Yangtze River
solving outstanding problems
promoting pollution reduction and capacity expansion
strengthening source control
and restoring the clean shores of the mother river
showing the beauty of water rhyme of Jiangsu
and a new land of fish and rice
