About 1 trillion yuan (US$125 billion) will be spent over the next five years to improve water security and build sewage treatment systems, a top official said yesterday.

"The country is facing severe water problems," Qiu Baoxing, vice-minister of construction, told a news briefing. "And the urban water environment in China is worsening."

More than 50 water treatment plants of nearly 800 nationwide in 30 cities were operating below a third of their capacity or were not used at all, according to ministry statistics.

And 278 cities out of the total of 661 did not have any wastewater treatment plants by the end of last year.

Also, about 20 per cent of water pipes in cities leak, Qiu said.

Per capita water resources in the country are less than a third of the global average and falling.

"China is at the crossroads in dealing with urban water problems," Qiu said.

To improve urban water supply, the Ministry of Construction (MOC) has set a series of targets for the next five years.

Water coverage in cities will reach at least 95 per cent in 2010, up from the current 91 per cent.

About 70 per cent of wastewater, 28 billion cubic metres annually, will be treated.

Currently, the country's 792 wastewater treatment plants can only handle about half the sewage.

By the end of 2007, water supply networks that have been in use for more than 50 years or suffer from leaks or damage will be rebuilt.

"If China can reduce the leakage rate to 7-9 per cent, the level in developed nations, it can save as much as 10 billion cubic metres the annual amount to be provided by the middle route of the south-north water diversion project from the Yangtze River," Qiu said.

The ministry will raise public awareness of water saving but Qiu said raising water prices to promote conservation was not the right option for China, where incomes are not high.

Qiu said the country welcomes more foreign investment in the water sector which is currently at 10 per cent of the total as well as technology from abroad.

He noted that the fifth World Water Congress and Exhibition will be held in Beijing from September 10 to 14, the first time in Asia.

"The congress will provide a platform for international co-operation. Some 2,000 water experts will bring with them the experience and technology to tackle China's water problems. It will benefit both China and the world," Qiu said.

Source: China Daily