The rapid growth in China’s population and economy has been accompanied by a rising demand for freshwater and a serious decline in its quality and quantity, exacerbated by recent episodes of severe drought. Almost half of the water of the seven major river systems (Liao, Hai, Huai, Yellow, Song Hua, Pearl, and Yangtze) are ranked by the Chinese water quality index as unfit for human consumption as a direct result of widespread and severe pollution by human and industrial waste. Over 75% of the major lakes and reservoirs now experience eutrophication and toxic or noxious algal blooms. In most areas, outdated water treatment and supply systems cannot deal with these source water issues.

To address this problem, Chinese national source water protection initiatives have been announced, and there is increasing interest in international collaboration and shared technology for drinking water treatment and protection. Environment Canada’s Dr. Sue Watson recently gave an invited presentation on noxious algal metabolites at a meeting hosted by the Chinese Academy of Science and Jinan Water and Wastewater Monitoring Center, attended by international experts, academia, research institutes, and Chinese water utilities.

Contact: Sue Watson, 905-336-4759, Sue.Watson@ec.gc.ca