Regions to tackle pollution

Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province will work together to address water pollution through the construction of a unified water monitoring network by the end of 2017.

The three areas in northern China will improve their water monitoring systems, warning mechanisms, information sharing and emergency response to prevent water pollution, under a plan the Beijing city government released last week.

Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei are working toward integrating their industries, transportation networks and measures to curb pollution so they can achieve balanced, coordinated development.

To ensure water quality, Beijing will work with Zhangjiakou and Chengde, two cities in Hebei, to protect water sources and restore the natural environment along the major river courses and to clean up pollution in rivers and reservoirs.

The plan also orders the heightened monitoring, testing and evaluation of water quality at sources, treatment plants and taps to ensure quality from beginning to end.

It also requires that information on drinking water be made public this year and promises more detailed disclosure by 2018.

To control groundwater pollution, the capital will close 76 landfills and 1,143 wells, trace pollution in underground water and begin restoring polluted aquifers in 2019.