City to update its underground water pipes
24/8/2004 10:31
Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news
Shanghai's water
authority has launched a program to update the underground water network to
improve the local tap water supply and prevent water pipes bursting. According
to the program announced yesterday, the authority will update the underground
water pipes that have been in service for longer than 50 years to ensure that
the water supply quality reaches European standards by 2010.
The program also
involves the set-up of a water quality supervision network to supervise the
city's water.
Of the city's 500,000 kilometers of underground water pipes,
half were laid before 1949, according to the city's water officials. Some have
been in service for over a century.
With around 300 kilometers of the pipes
having been in use for over 50 years, at least 800 kilometers are at risk of
bursting. This is likely to cause water pollution and leakages.
To tackle the
renovation program, the city's four key water suppliers have been in busy
preparation.
Shanghai Waterworks Shinan Co. Ltd, for example, will invest 150
million yuan (US$18 million) each year to update the water pipes, meters and
other water supply facilities in the southern area of Shanghai. Investment in
pipe restoration will reach 50 million yuan, covering more than 100 kilometers
of pipes.
Another water company, Shanghai Waterworks Shibei Co. Ltd, plans to
earmark 15 million yuan this year to upgrade 200 old pipes in the residential
quarters of northern Shanghai.
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