Eco efforts helping to transform water quality

Qingdao has seen a great improvement in the environment as the result of its endeavors in water treatment.

Focused on improving water quality, Qingdao has taken a variety of measures and innovative methods in combating water problems to satisfy people's desire for a sound water environment.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, the water quality of key rivers in Qingdao has experienced an increased improvement and aquatic ecological functions are gradually recovering, said Song Mingjie, vice-mayor of Qingdao.

Over the first three quarters of this year, all 20 surface water monitoring points at the national and provincial levels in the city have met quality standards, recorded at Class IV or above. Since 2021, its water bodies with a quality rating of Class V or lower have been kept at zero.

Among the 14 national surface water monitoring points, the proportion of good quality water bodies, rating Class III or above, reached 71.4 percent, up 7.1 percent year-on-year.

Currently, Qingdao is home to 16 centralized drinking water sources at the urban level or above in the city, and the water quality meets standards with a 100 percent compliance rate. Among them, Jihongtan Reservoir, the main source of urban water supply in the city, has achieved Class II water quality standards, which is better than the national Class III target requirement, according to Song.

In addition, the city has completed the first batch of its 14 odorous water treatments. Water quality monitoring of treated black and odorous waters is conducted every month as part of dynamic management, to prevent the occurrence of recontamination.

Protecting and improving water ecology is crucial and associated with the well-being of the public, Song said.

Over the past few years, Qingdao has mapped out guidelines for coordinating water resources, ecological systems and the environment. It has also rolled out regulations on the protection of drinking water.

Revolving around key river basins such as the Licun River, Beijiaolai River and Dagu River, the city has conducted comprehensive basin management. The main measures taken include pollution interception and treatment, dredging of river channels, reclaimed water replenishment and ecological restoration, all aimed at comprehensively improving the river basin environment.

This year, the city is advancing 50 key engineering projects in areas such as urban sewage treatment, pipeline network construction and comprehensive river management. The implementation of management for key stages is being carried out, thus strengthening the foundation of the city's water environment protection.

Lingshan Bay in Qingdao is awarded first place in the initial batch of excellent case examples of beautiful bays in the country. LI WEI/FOR CHINA DAILY