Based on figures from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the underground water in 57 percent of monitored sites across Chinese cities was found to be polluted or extremely polluted, the Economic Information Daily reported.

The MEP statistics also suggest that 298 million rural residents do not have access to safe drinking water.

In the first half of last year, statistics showed that out of the seven main water systems in China, only the Yangtze and Pearl rivers had a good water quality, whereas the Haihe River was heavily polluted and the others all moderately polluted, according to the MEP.

The ministry has decided to step up the protection of water sources in several aspects. No construction projects will be allowed in water source regions unless they have marked off specific protection areas subjected to ministry monitoring, or have passed water quality examinations.

(China.org.cn May 30, 2012)

据《经济参考报》报道，环保部数据表明，我国城市57%的地下水监测点位水质较差甚至极差。

同时，还有2.98亿农村人口喝不上符合标准的饮用水。

2011年上半年，我国七大水系中长江、珠江水质状况良好，海河为重度污染，其余河流均为中度或轻度污染。

环保部决定从多方面推进水源保护，对没有完成保护区划定工作、饮用水水源环保状况不达标的地区，停批所有建设项目。