South China's Guangdong Province will pour 44.59 billion yuan (about US$5.37 billion) on its fight against water pollution in the Pearl River, China's fourth longest, by the year 2010.

A comprehensive scheme for the improvement of the river's water environment, compiled by the Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Environmental Protection, has been approved by the provincial government.

According to the scheme, the efforts will be carried out in two phases, with the Pearl River Delta being the prime target of the efforts.

A total of 192 projects will be completed under the scheme, including 161 sewage treatment projects. A total of 175 industrial polluters will be ordered to treat wastewater before discharging it according to set requirements.

By 2010, 60 to 70 percent of sewage from urban areas will be treated, while 90 percent of the industrial wastewater will be discharged. More trees will also be grown along both banks of the river.

Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong, will spend 4.7 billion yuan (US$566 million) in 2002 and 2003 in constructing sewage treatment plants and treating water discharges in the Pearl River, which is the mother river of Guangdong Province.

By 2010, the quality of the water in the Pearl River near Guangzhou will be greatly improved.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2002)