By Zhang Zhao Updated: 2016-08-01 07:52:59
In Tangkou village in Anji county, Zhejiang province, a wasteland of some 20 hectares is being transformed into a wetland park that will function as both a water treatment and entertainment center, thanks to the efforts of the county's administration of water resources.
The project, which started in September last year, is located along a 500-meter long section of the Nanxi River, about 28 km southwest from downtown Anji. It aims to restore and protect the local natural environment while allowing it to serve as a sightseeing attraction for local residents, according to the government's plan.
By rearranging the local terrain and integrating the water environment and water-growing plants, the authority expects to present a wetland-themed park that will also purify the water in an ecologically friendly way, said officials from the water resources administration.
Water from the Nanxi River is drawn via a channel to the area to create a series of lakes and ponds. Various types of plants will be cultivated at different water depths, according to both their habitat suitability and ability to treat water pollution. Purified water will then flow back to the river.
The area has a maximum daily water treatment capacity of 172,000 cubic meters.
Planners also focused closely on aesthetics during the design and construction phases, to ensure that the plants, both those in the water and on the banks, would create colorful displays in different seasons. Weirs and islands will also be built, and cobbled roads in the area will be paved to allow easier access to the park. The park will be divided into several areas by trees and bushes planted along the river banks, which will give tourists a range of views when the park is completed later this year.
The wetland park is the latest in a series of projects designed to improve the local environment, water quality and people's livelihoods.
The project also echoes a provincial water strategy that focuses on tackling water pollution, flooding, waterlogging, water supply and water conservation.
Funding for the project came from the sale of silt from an earlier silt clearing project on the Nanxi River, where a reservoir was built about 60 years ago. Cleared silt from the project was sold to construction companies.
It was estimated that 15 million cubic tons of silt and sand had accumulated over the past decade, and there were fears that this would lead to eutrophication because of the rich content of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus compounds.
Quantities of sand and silt had also been illegally dug up, transported and sold to nearby construction sites to be used as building materials.
"Some people dug up the silt illicitly and sold it, resulting in pits and holes at the bottom of the reservoir, which not only brought potential dangers, but also affected the water quality," said Hu Yaohua, an official from the reservoir's administration.
He said that the silt clearing project and restoration of the reservoir bottom would restore the ecology of the local area.
For three consecutive months since February, the water in the reservoir was maintained at national Class 1 quality, which means it can be supplied as drinking water after simple sterilization and filtration.
The silt clearing project also included the management of the lowlands downstream areas, bringing benefits to the local villagers.
"In the past, swollen reservoir water deluged the low-lying areas, forming stagnant pools of water in which mosquitoes could breed in summer," said Cai Keji, Party chief of Tangkou village, adding that the restored area would be free of such nuisances.
Tackling water scarcity
Although Zhejiang province has been traditionally renowned for its rich water resources, its per capita water resource was only 1,760 cubic meters according to a survey conducted in 2013. According to the globally accepted Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator, areas that drop below 1,700 cubic meters per person per year are said to be experiencing "water stress".
The water stress in Zhejiang is largely because 80 percent of the province's water resources are located in its mountain areas. As a countermeasure, the provincial Party committee proposed an overall water resources strategy in late 2013. It focuses on water pollution control, flood prevention and waterlogging drainage to ensure the integrity of water supply and water conservation.
The strategy, as an indispensable part of the overall plan to build a harmonious Zhejiang, will attract investment, promote industrial restructuring and improve people's livelihoods, said Xia Baolong, the province's Party chief.
He said the five main aspects of the strategy are like the five fingers on a hand, with water pollution control playing the leading role, much like a thumb, because "it is an area that the people can see and feel most directly and clearly".
Pollution control plans include not only river treatment, but also the expansion of urban and rural sewage collection and treatment networks, as well as the upgrading of traditional industries that tend to lead to high levels of water pollution, Xia said.
According to the provincial government's roadmap, critical problems will be solved by the end of the year and all issues will be resolved by 2020.