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March 23, 2014

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City planting trees near tap water source

THE Shanghai Water Authority yesterday began planting sequoia trees in and around the Qingcaosha Reservoir in an effort to curb eutrophication.

The reservoir, which is at the mouth of the Yangtze River delta, is a major source of tap water in Shanghai.

About 700 trees will be planted in three years to stem eutrophication which leads to excessive plant growth and decay, said Shen Yichen, general manager of the Chengtou Raw Water Co, the reservoir’s operator.

“The eutrophication cannot be done away with completely but can be controlled with tree planting and other measures,” Shen told Shanghai Daily yesterday.

A total of 400,000 square meters of trees will be planted on the south bank of the reservoir by 2015, while another 2.4 square kilometers of trees will be planted on the middle island called Qingcaosha, he said.

The trees are expected to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus materials in the water as well as avoid the growth of algae that threatens water quality, Shen said.

The trees, which can be several meters tall, can also help in preventing pollutants from settling in the reservoir, he added.

The Water Authority is also restoring wetland in and around the reservoir besides introducing algae-eating fish.

Signs of eutrophication were first spotted at the country’s largest reservoir last year, which has been the cleanest source of tap water for more than the 13 million residents. There are also threats of salt tides.

“We face constant pressure mainly triggered by pollution upstream,” said Shen.

The compounds and pollutants at the mouth of Yangtze River mainly come from upstream factories. In addition, the reservoir faces threat from oil spills and ship collisions.




 

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