Worst Ever Water Algae Pollution in Beijing

2007-08-14 13:28:16 [ Big Normal Small ]    　Comment

A worker is collecting the wastes in the Shangzhuang Reservoir, northwest to Beijing. [Photo: Beijing Times]

A worst ever water algae blooms have burst out in a reservoir northwest to Beijing, deteriorating water quality and killing fish.

This is the third such case of water algae blooms reported in Beijing since mid-July. The previous two smaller water algae blooms occurred on July 19 in a lake water area that links the Beijing Summer Palace and another lake water area in Beijing's eastern Chaoyang District.

According to Beijing Times reports, this latest big water algae blooms occurred in Shangzhuang Reservoir, one of the major reservoirs and a scenic area in northwest of Beijing. The reservoir is about 4.2 kilometers long and was formed by a dam construction cutting off an old waterway, 30 kilometers northwest of the city's urban areas. The algae blooms have covered over ten thousand square meters across the reservoir waters.

The Water Affairs Bureau of Haidian District Monday said that the water algae blooms were caused by continuous high temperatures, recent heavy rains and an increasing water pollution caused by waste pollutant discharges into the reservoir from jacent villages and increasing number of tourists.

The bureau has ordered emergent removal of blooms and other solid wastes away from the reservoir waters. Reports says collection of such wastes amount to almost one ton a day, however, the water quality is still deteriorating and fish beginning to die, giving off a strong smell over the reservoir.

The bureau says more workers have been mobilised to fight against the pollution at Shangzhuang Reservoir.

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