Workers in Wuxi are clearing the blue algae and other floating garbage to improve the water quality of Taihu Lake.

The city has organized 27 boats and 86 workers to clean up the lake since June. Progress has been good, city officials said.

The city government held a meeting yesterday on the protection of water in Taihu Lake. The mayor, Mao Xiaoping, said it will take some time to clear the lake of the algae.

He said local administration must take full responsibility for cleaning up the lake and disposal of the algae.

Mao promised to set up a fund for cleaning of the lake. It would involve buying more boats and hiring more workers.

The city runs 142 km along the banks of Taihu Lake. The breakout of blue algae is associated with the lake's high water temperature, water level and wind direction.

The clearing of the algae involves many different departments. The authorities will work together to hire professional teams for the clean up.

Scientists are working on a follow-up treatment of the algae in order to avoid further outbreaks.

Some restaurants along the lake have been shut down and the deposit of sewage into the lake has been banned.

Sewage disposal has been a problem for the authorities because local administrators allowed factories and other businesses to be set up in the vicinity of the lake.

The city is determined to stop sewage being dumped into the lake by the end of the year, and drainage of rivers into the lake.

The city has set up a cross checking system between administrators of various areas to ensure its orders are carried out.

(China Daily August 16, 2007)