Beijing has built more than 100 sets of intermediate water recycling centers. More than 100 such centers are under construction; of the figure, 70 have already been accomplished. It adds 30 such centers a year on an average, ranking first in the nation.

The intermediate water recycled from wastewater is being used in agricultural irrigation, urban horticulture, car wash and industrial cooling.

Such a center at the basement of the Xinqiao Hotel is treating the wastewater from hotel room baths at a rate of eight tons an hour. The recycled intermediate water is applied to flush toilets in Building A and B. The treated water is colorless and smell-less without any damage to the sanitary facilities.

According to a manager of the hotel, it helps save 2500 tons of water and 6000 yuan of water expense a month. It means more than 80,000 yuan a year.

The city asks the real estate builders to install intermediate water facilities as a must. There will not be long before families use such intermediate water for sanitary purposes in the city.

(www.cenews.com.cn October 28, 2002)