The tap water situation worsened in Macao
on Monday, as the salinity level remained the hiking surge.
The salinity level reached 620 mg/l on Monday, according to
Macao Water, the monopoly water supplier in the region, and the
World Health Organization defines the standard level for drinking
water at 250 mg/l.
The Health Bureau has issued a statement, urging residents to
mix tap water with distilled water at the rate of 1:1 to desalinate
the content.
The price of bottled water has thus rocketed three times over
the past few weeks and local distilled water companies are working
over time to handle retail shops' orders.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring mainland city of Zhuhai on which
Macao counts its raw water reserve, reservoirs are reportedly
drying up.
Zhuhai's Water Affairs Department Friday revealed that its
reservoirs contained less than eight million cubic meters of raw
water while the city and Macao together consume an average of 0.6
million cubic meters everyday.
Zhuhai's municipal government Thursday started rationing water
supply to many high-rise residential buildings, according to the
mainland city's media.
The Macao authorities are also making efforts to tackle the
tapwater problem.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (CMAB) has announced a
string of water-saving measures, including reduced irrigation of
green spaces and closure of five public fountains.
The CMAB re-opened seven public wells free of charge for
residents to obtain water "for non-drinking purposes."
Ao Man Long, Secretary for Transport and Public Works, is to
visit the mainland provinces of Guangdong, Guizhou and Guangxi
early in March to hold discussions with the concerned authorities
on the joint-handed efforts to solve the water supply issue in
Macao.
An official statement issued by Ao's office Monday said Ao will
be accompanied by representatives of the Macao Water on his
mainland tour.
Meanwhile, Macao's 12 members of the National People's Congress
(NPC)
are planning to submit a proposal to the central government on the
current "salty tap water" crisis, local media reported.
The details of the proposal, however, have not been disclosed so
far.
Macao, relying the water supply on Xijiang River which is
originated in Guangdong Province, has long been enduring the
salinity crisis caused by the intake of the sea water during the
winter season.
The salinity crisis this year is believed to be the worst in the
city's history.
(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2006)