The water supply to hundreds of households in northern Shanghai
returned to normal today as a salt tide that affected supplies the
past few days began to ebb.
The salt tide was created by reduced water flow in the Yangtze
River, allowing sea water to push into the mouth of the Yangtze.
Water plants dependant on the Yangtze were thus experiencing
shortages, water suppliers said today.
The shortage of fresh water produced insufficient pipeline
pressure in distribution networks from Monday, reducing supplies to
several residential areas in Hongkou and Baoshan districts.
``It mostly happened to apartments above the third floor in
these buildings, where it was difficult for the pumps to send water
to tanks higher up,'' said Li Chunhui, a spokesman for Shanghai
Shibei Waterworks Co.
Usually apartments on the third floor or below have water pumped
directly to their homes. For those above the third floor, water
tanks are placed on top of the building and water is pumped to the
tank.
(Shanghai Daily January 31, 2008)