General Situation

In 2006, the overall quality of surface water across China was subject to intermediate pollution. Among 745 water sections under national surface water quality monitoring program (593 river sections and 152 lake or reservoir monitoring sites), 40% met Grade I~III national surface water quality standard, 32% met Grade IV~V standardand 28% failed to meet Grade V standard with main pollution indicators being permanganate index, ammonia nitrogen and petroleum. Compared with last year, the overall quality of surface water across China remained stable.

Quality of surface water in China in 2006

Water Quality of the Seven Major Rivers

In 2006, the overall quality of the water of seven major rivers of China-The Yangtze River, Yellow River, Pearl River, Songhua River, Huaihe River, Haihe River and Liaohe River-was basically the same as in 2005.

Among the 408 monitoring sections of 197 rivers of the seven major river basins under national monitoring program, 46% met Grade I~III National Surface Water Quality Standard, 28% met Grade IV~V National Water Quality Standard and 26% failed to meet Grade V standard. Among them, Pearl River and Yangtze River enjoyed good water quality. The Songhua River, Yellow River and HuaiheRiver were subject to intermediate pollution. The Liaohe River and Haihe River were under heavy pollution. Major pollutants were permanganate index, oils and ammonia nitrogen.

Water quality grade of 7 big rivers in 2006

Comparison of water quality of 7 big rivers in 2006

In 98 provincial trans-boundary sections under national monitoring program of the seven major rivers, the percentage of sections meeting Grade I～III, Grade IV, Grade V and >V was 43%, 31% and 26% respectively. Provincial trans-boundary sections of HaiheRiver and HuaiheRiver were under intermediate pollution.

Water quality of trans-province sections of the seven big rivers in 2006

The Yangtze River Waters The overall water quality of the Yangtze River was good. In 103 sections under national water quality monitoring program, the percentage meeting Grade I~III, IV, V and > V standards was 76%, 17% and 7% respectively with major pollutants being petroleum, ammonia nitrogen and BOD₅.

The mainstream of the Yangtze River enjoyed good water quality. The section at Zhaotong in Yunnan Province and Wuhu Section in Anhui Province were under light pollution. Other sections of the Yangtze River enjoyed excellent or good water quality. There is no obvious change in water quality of the mainstream compared with last year.

Percentage of different grade of water quality of Yangtze

In general, the tributaries of the Yangtze River were subject to light pollution with water quality same as in last year. Yalong River, Jialing River, Wujiang River, Yuanjiang River and Hanjiang River enjoyed excellent water quality. Dadu River, Minjiang River (Meishan section of Minjiang River subject to light pollution with major pollutant of petroleum), Xiangjiang River and Ganjiang River had good water quality (Nanchang section of Ganjiang River subject to intermediate pollution with major pollutants of dissolved oxygen and ammonia nitrogen). Tuojiang River was subject to light water pollution.

Permanganate index and ammonia concentration change along the mainstream of the Yangtze River

The quality of the water of the Three Gorges Reservoir areas was excellent. The water quality of all 6 monitoring sections under national monitoring program met or was superior to Grade III quality standard. There was no obvious change of the water quality as compared with that of 2005.

The water of provincial trans-boundary sections of the Yangtze River under national water quality monitoring program enjoyed good quality, showing no obvious change as compared with that of last year. Among 20 sections under national water quality monitoring program, 85% met Grade I~III water quality standard, 10% met Grade IV and V standards and 5% failed to meet Grade V standard.

The Yellow River Waters The Yellow River waters were under intermediate water pollution. In 44 surface water sections under national monitoring program, the percentage meeting Grade II~III, Grade IV~V and failing to meet Grade V standards was 50%, 25% and 25% respectively with major pollution indicators being petroleum, ammonia nitrogen and BOD₅.

Water quality of the YellowRiver basin in 2006

The mainstream of the Yellow River was under light pollution with water quality same as in last year. The section in Ningxia, Baotou section in Inner Mongolia, Sanmenxia section in Henan and Heze section in Shandong of the mainstream of the yellow River were subject to light pollution. While other sections enjoyed good or excellent quality.

Permanganate index and ammonia concentration change along the mainstream of the Yellow River

In general, most tributaries of the Yellow River were under heavy pollution, same as in last year. But there were a few exceptions. YiheRiver and LuoheRiver enjoyed excellent or good quality. Bahe River, Dahei River, Qinhe River and Yiluo River were under light pollution. Weihe River (the section in Shaanxi subject severe pollution), Huangshui River, Beiluo River, Fenhe River and Sushui River were all under heavy pollution.

The trans-province boundary sections of the Yellow River under national water quality monitoring program were under intermediate pollution. Among 11 trans-province boundary sections, 46% met Grade II~III water quality standards, 18% met Grade IV standard and 36% failed to meet Grade V standard.

Zhujiang River Waters The overall quality of Zhujiang River waters was good. In all 33 surface water sections under national monitoring program, the percentage meeting Grade I~III, Grade IV and Grade V and beyond was 82%, 15% and 3% respectively. Major pollution indicators were petroleum and ammonia nitrogen.

Water quality of Zhujiang River waters in 2006

The overall quality of the mainstream of Pearl River was good, basically same as in last year. Changzhou section and Lianhuashan section in Guangdong Province was subject to light pollution. While other sections enjoyed good or excellent quality.

Permanganate index and ammonia concentration change along the mainstream of the Pearl River

The overall water quality of the tributaries of Pearl River was good with no obvious change as compared with that of 2005. Dabang River, Liujiang River, Zuojiang River, Lijiang River and Guijiang River enjoyed excellent water quality. Beipan River, Duliu River, Hujiang River, Yongjiang River, Longjiang River, Youjiang River and Hejiang River had good water quality. But Shenzhen River was subject to heavy pollution.indicators of petroleum. There is no obvious change in water quality as compared with that of 2005.

Songhua River Waters Songhua River waters were underintermediate pollution. Among 42 water sections under national water quality monitoring program, the percentage met Grade II~III, Grade IV Grade V and beyongd was 24%, 55% and 21% respectively with major pollutants being permanganates, petroleum and ammonia nitrogen.

Water quality of the Songhua River waters in 2006

The mainstream of the Songhua River is subject to light pollution with water quality same as in last year. The section at Jilin City and Songyuan section in JilinProvince and upstream section to Harbin in Heilongjiang Province enjoyed good water quality. Other sections were under light pollution.

Permanganate index and ammonia concentration change along the mainstream of the Songhua River

Water quality of trans-province sections of the Songhua River waters in 2006

In general, the tributaries of the Songhua River were under heavy pollution. Water quality of most tributaries became worse as compared with that of 2005. Nenjiang River, Yalu River and Taohe River were under light pollution. Mudan River was under intermediate pollution. While Ashi River, Hulan River, Yinma River and Yitong River were under heavy pollution.

The trans-province sections of the Songhua River under national water quality monitoring program were under light pollution.

Huaihe River Waters Huaihe River waters were under intermediate pollution. In all 86 water sections under national water quality monitoring program, the percentage meeting Grade II~III, Grade IV~V and failing to meet Grade V standards was 26%, 44% and 30% respectively. Major pollution indicators were petroleum, permanganate index and BOD₅.

Water quality of the Huaihe River waters in 2006

In general, the mainstream of the Huaihe River was under light pollution. Its water quality was improved compared with that of 2005. The section in Anhui Province was subject to light pollution. Other sections enjoyed good or excellent quality.

The overall water quality of all tributaries of the Huaihe River was under intermediate pollution with some improvement compared with that of 2005. In main primary tributaries, Shiguan River had excellent quality and Xifei River good quality. Honghe River, Tuohe River, Shihe River, Huanghe River and Kuaihe River were under light pollution. But Wohe River and Yinghe River were subject to heavy pollution.

In general, rivers in Shandong Province were under intermediate pollution with no obvious change in water quality as compared with that of 2005. The Yihe River and BengheRiver River had good water quality. Shagou River, Wuhe River, Dongpicang flood diversion channel, Shuhe River, Xinshu River, Zhangtuan River, Great Canal, Dongyu River and Xizhi River were under light pollution. Baima River had intermediatepollution. But Chengguo River, Sihe River, Guangfu River and Zhuzhaoxin River were under heavy pollution.

Permanganate index and ammonia concentration change along the mainstream of the Huaihe River

In general, all trans-province sections of the Huaihe River under national water quality monitoring program were under intermediate pollution with no evident change of water quality as compared with that of 2005. In all 32 trans-province sections, 16% met Grade III water quality standard, 53% met Grade IV~V standard and 31% failed to meet Grade V standard.

Water quality of trans-province sections of the Huaihe River waters in 2006

Haihe River Waters Haihe River waters were under severe pollution. In all 63 sections under national water quality monitoring program, 22% met Grade I~III water quality standard, 21% met Grade IV~V stanbdard and 57% failed to meet Grade V standard. Main pollution indicators were BOD₅, permanganate index and NH₄.

Water quality of the Haihe River waters in 2006

The mainstream of the Haihe River was subject to severe pollution without any significant change in water quality as compared with that of 2005.

Other major rivers of the Haihe River basin were under heavy pollution with no obvious change of water quality as compared with that of 2005. Luanhe River had good water quality, Yongding River was under light pollution. But North Great Canal, Zhangweixin River, Dasha River, Ziya River, Majia River and Tuhai River had heavy pollution.

In general, most trans-province sections of the Haihe River under national water quality monitoring program were under heavy pollution. Among 20 such sections, 30% met Grade I~III standards, 30% met Grade IV~V standard and the remaining 40% failed to meet Grade V standard.

Water quality of trans-province sections of the Haihe River Waters in 2006

Liaohe River Waters Liaohe River waters were under heavy pollution. In all 37 water sections under national water quality monitoring program, 35% met Grade II~III quality standard, 22% met Grade IV~V standard and 43% failed to meet Grade V standard. Main pollution indicators were BOD₅, petroleum and ammonia nitrogen.

The mainstream of the LiaoheRiver was under intermediate pollution. In 13 sections under national water quality monitoring program, 31% met Grade II~III standard, 31% met Grade IV~V standard and 38% failed to meet Grade V standard. Laoha River had good water quality. Dongliao River and Xiliao River were subject to light pollution and Liaohe River under heavy pollution. The water quality had some improvement compared with that of 2005.

Water quality of the Liaohe River waters in 2006

Permanganate index and ammonia concentration change along the mainstream of the Liaohe

Among the tributaries of the Liaohe River, Xilamulun River was under light pollution. Tiaozi River and Zhaosutai River were under heavy pollution. The water quality was basically the same as in last year.

Trans-province sections of the LiaoheRiver waters were under heavy pollution. In the 3 such sections under monitoring, Dianzi section (Liaoning-Inner Mongolia) of Laoha River met Grade II standard, Fudedian section (Jilin, Inner Mongolia - Liaoning) failed to meet Grade V standard, so did the Sishuangdaqiao section (Jilin-Liaoning) of the Dongliao River.

Water quality of trans-province sections of the Liaohe River waters in 2006

Permanganate index and ammonia concentration change along the Hunhe River and Daliaohe Rive

In general, the Daliaohe River and its tributaries were under heavy pollution with water quality same as in last year. TaiziRiver was subject to intermediate pollution, while Daliaohe River and Hunhe River were under heavy pollution.

Daling River had heavy pollution. Among the 3 sections under monitoring, Wangjiagou section met Grade Ⅳ standard, but Zhangjiabao section and Xibaqian section failed to meet Grade Ⅴ standard. Main pollution indicators were permanganate index and BOD₅.

The overall water quality of the rivers in Zhejiang Province and Fujian Province was good with no obvious change compared with that of 2005. Among the 32 sections under national water quality monitoring program, 75% met Grade I~III quality standard, 25% met Grade IV~V standard without any section failing to meet Grade V standard. Major pollution indicators were petroleum, ammonia nitrogen and BOD₅. 

Rivers in Southwest China Rivers in Southwest China enjoyed good water quality with no obvious change compared with that of 2005. Among 17 sections under national water quality monitoring program, 82% met Grdae I~III quality standard, 6% met Grade IV standard and 12% failed to meet Grade V standard. Major pollution indicators were lead, permanganate index and petroleum.

Rivers in Northwest China Rivers in Northwest China had good water quality with no obvious change compared with that of 2005. Among 28 sections under national water quality monitoring program, 82% met Grdae I~III quality standard, 14% met Grade IV standard and 4% failed to meet Grade V standard. Major pollutant was ammonia nitrogen.

Water Quality of Lakes and Reservoirs

In 2006, among the 27 major lakes (reservoirs) under national water quality monitoring program, 2 lakes (reservoirs) (7%) met Grade II water quality standard; 6 lakes (reservoirs) (accounting for 22%) met Grade III water quality standard; 1 lake (reservoir) (taking up 4%) met Grade IV quality standard; 5 lakes (reservoirs) (accounting for 19%) met Grade V water quality standard and 13 lakes (reservoirs) (accounting for 48%) failed to meet Grade V standard. Among them, water quality of Chaohu Lake was Grade V. Taihu Lake and Dianchi Lake failed to meet Grade V standard. Major pollutants were total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Reservoir water had better quality than that of lakes, which had relatively light eutrofication.

Index of nutrition of major lakes & reservoirs in 2006

Water quality of major lakes and reservoirs in 2006

• Taihu Lake

Lake Areas: Annual average concentrations of permanganate index and TP of lake areas met Grade III standard and Grade IV standard respectively. However, the water quality failed to meet Grade V water quality standard due to heavy pollution of total nitrogen. It was subject to intermediate eutrofication.

Among the 21 sites under national water quality monitoring program, none of them met Grade I~IV quality standard. 14% met Grade V standard and the remaining 86% failed to meet Grade V standard. Major pollutant was total nitrogen. The water quality had no obvious change compared with that of 2005.

Major pollution indicators and water quality of Taihu Lake in 2006

Inflowing Rivers: Inflowing rivers of the TaihuLake were under intermediate pollution with no obvious change of water quality compared with that of 2005. Major pollutants were ammonia nitrogen, BOD₅ and petroleum.

Among the 87 sections under national water quality monitoring program, the percentage meeting Grade II~III, Grade IV~V and failing to meet Grade V standard was 20%, 49% and 31% respectively.

Water quality of inflowing rivers in 2006

Annual comparison of water quality of inflowing rivers of Taihu Lake

• Dianchi Lake

Lake Areas: The overall lake area of Dianchi failed to meet Grade V water quality standard with major pollutants being TP, TN and NH₄. Caihai Lake was subject to heavy eutrofication. Waihai Lake was under intermediate eutrofication. The water quality of Waihai Lake became worse compared with that of 2005.

Major pollution indicators and water quality of Dianchi Lake in 2006

Inflowing Rivers: Inflowing rivers of Dianchi Lake were subject to heavy pollution with no obvious change in water quality compared with that of 2005. Major pollutant was ammonia nitrogen. Among the 8 sections under national water quality monitoring program, 12% met Grade II standard, 25% met Grade IV standard and 63% failed to meet Grade V standard.

Water quality of inflowing rivers of Dianchi Lake in 2006

• Chaohu Lake

LakeAreas: The overall water quality of Chaohu Lake fell into Grade V category. Major pollution indicators were TN and TP. Water quality of Chaohu Lake had some improvement compared with that of last year. At present, Chaohu Lake is under intermediate eutrofication (Western part subject to intermediate eutrofication while estern part light eutrofication).

Major pollution indicators and water quality of Chaohu Lake in 2006

Inflowing Rivers: Among the 12 sections under national water quality monitoring program (including two for pollution control) of inflowing rivers of Chaohu Lake, 8% met Grade III standard, 67% met Grade IV~V standard and 25% failed to meet Grade V standard. Major pollutants were TP and TN.

In general, the water quality of 382 concentrated drinking water sources of 107 major cities (excluding Jining, Qujing, Taian, Tongchuan, Xianyang and Zhuzhou that are among the 113 key cities on environmental protection) was good.

The month-average total water withdrawal of key cities on environmental protection was 1.59 billion tons, 1.15 billion tons of which met water quality standard (taking up 72.3%). The remaining 440 million tons failed to meet quality standard (accounting for 27.7%). The major pollution indicators of river-type drinking water sources were coliform group. The main pollutant of lake-reservoir-type drinking water sources was total nitrogen.

Up-to-Standard rate of water quality of concentrated drinking water sources of major cities in 2006

Groundwater

According to ground water monitoring results of 163 cities in 2006, most major monitoring sites had good or relatively poor water quality. The quality of deep ground water was superior to that of shallow ground water. Ground water resources with low degree of development had better quality than that from regions with high degree of development.

Among the 125 cities with monitoring program for shallow ground water quality, 21 of them had degradation trend in water quality compared with that of 2005. They mainly distributed in northeast, northwest, eastern part and contral south of China. A total of 95 cities across China had stable ground water quality. Nine cities had their ground water quality turning better.

Among the 75 cities with water quality monitoring program for deep ground water resources, 12 showed degradation trend in their major monitoring sites compared with that of 2005, they mainly distributed in eastern coastal regions. 59 cities across China had basically stable ground water quality. Only 5 cities showed better water quality.

Change of ground water quality of each province (autonomous region and municipality) in 2006

Change of ground water quality of major cities from 2005 to 2006

• Groundwater Table

According to groundwater table monitoring results of 163 cities (plain cities usually include the region under their jurisdiction) in 2006, ground water table maintained stable on the whole as compared with that of 2005. Compared with shallow ground water, deep ground water table had more obvious change. Regions with significant change of ground water table mainly concentrated on North China, East China and Northwest China where there is extensive development of ground water resources.

Among the 126 cities with monitoring program for shallow ground water table, 8 cities had a rising trend (>0.5 m) of ground water table compared with that of 2005, there were in Northeast China and Central South China. A total of 95 cities across China had rather stable water table (rise or fall margin < 0.5 m). 23 cities showed declining trend (decline margin > 0.5 m) and they are distrubited in North China, Northwest China and East China.

Among the 78 cities with monitoring program for deep ground water table, 10 cities in such areas as North China and Central South China showed a rising trend compared with that of 2005. 44 cities across China had basically stable water table. And 24 cities presented declining trend in water table, which mainly in North China and East China.

• Ground Water Draw-Down Funnels

Monitoring results in 2006 showed that there were 216 draw-down funnels (120 shallow draw-down funnels, 91 deep draw-down funnels and 5 karst funnels) across China. In general, ground water draw-down funnel situation kept stable compared with that of 2005. Draw-down funnels with significant change mainly distributed in North China and East China where there was extensive development of ground water resources.

Shallow draw-down funnels mainly distributed in North China and East China with area ranging from dozens of square kilometers to several thousands of square kilometers. Among them, the area of draw-down funnel of Huaxian County-Nanle County in Henan Province, the secondary artesian aquifer of Kangjiahu Plain of Zhejiang Province and Ningbolong of Xingtai City, Hebei Province was 4826 km², 4654 km² and 1574 km² respectively. Most shallow draw-down funnels of Northwest China and Northeast China ranged from several dozen square kilometers to several hundred square kilometers. In Central South China and Southwest China, there were fewer draw-down funnels with smaller area, usually less than 10 km².

Deep draw-down funnels mainly distributed in North China, Northeast China and East China with the area more than 100 km² or even as big as several thousand square kilometers. The funnel area of Hengshui and Cangzhou in Hebei Province, Decheng of Dezhou in Shandong Province, Handan and Tangshan Ninghe－Tanghai in Hebei Province, the third artesian aquifer of Hangjiahu Plain of Zhejiang Province, Xingtai Juxin of Hebei Province, Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou of Jiangsu Province, Langfang Dacheng of Hebei Province and Hangu in Tianjin was 8815, 7553, 5333, 2898, 2046, 2623, 1769, 1350, 1220 and 1043 km² respectively. There were fewer deep draw-down funnels in Northwest China, Southwest China and Central South China. The area of such funnels in these areas was less than 10 km² except the second artesian aquifer funnel of Haikou in Hainan Province with an area of 682 km².

Discharge of Waste Water and Major Pollutants

In 2006, total discharged amount of waste water in China was 53.7 billion tons, up by 2.4% compared with that of 2005. Total discharge of COD was 14.282 million tons, up by 1.0% than that of 2005.

Amount of waste water and major pollutants in China over the past 6 years

Measures and Actions

【Plan for the Control of Total Amount of Major Pollutants】The Outline of the 11^th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development approved by the 4th Meeting of the 10th NPC on March 14, 2006 identifies the target of 10% reduction of total release of major pollutants by 2010. On August 5, 2006, the State Council approved the Plan for the Control of Total Release of Major Pollutants during the 11^th Five-Year Plan Period. It is expected that by 2010, total release of major pollutants across China will reduce by 10% compared with that of 2005. COD will decrease from 14.14 million tons to 12.73 million tons. SO₂ emission will reduce from 25.49 million tons to 22.94 million tons. The local target on the control of total release of COD and SO₂ emission of each province (autonomous region or municipality under the State Council) shall be met.

【The First National Census on Pollution Sources】On October 17, 2006, the State Council issued the Circular of the State Council on Carrying Out the First National Census on Pollution Sources (No.36 [2006] Document) It decided to carry out the first national census on pollution sources in the beginning of 2008. Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan holds the post of the head of the leading group on census of pollution sources. It is planned that pollution discharge across China will be accurately understood in about three years. The standard starting time for the first national census on pollution sources is December 31, 2007. All preparation activities have been commenced in an all round way.

【Work Meetings on the Prevention and Control of Air and Water Pollution】On May 30, 2006, the State Council approved and held National Work Meeting on Prevention and Control of Air Pollution. The State Council entrusted SEPA to sign the total SO₂ reduction target responsibility documents for the 11^th Five-Year Plan period with the government of each province (autonomous region or municipality) and 6 key power corporations including Huaneng Corporation. It has identified the "Five measures" for the prevention and control of atmospheric pollution. That is: supervising and urging that all coal-fueled generation sets install desulphurization facilities according to law; promoting relevant units to strengthen R & D of desulphurization technology and manaufacturing of the equipment; intensifying the supervision and management of the emissions of coal fueled power plants; actively coopertinmg with relevant department to improve the policy measures for desulphurization of coal fueled power plants; facilitating local government to put in place their responsibilities for SO₂ emission reduction.

National Teleconference on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution was held on July 21, 2006. SEPA has signed total water pollutants reduction target responsibility documents for the 11^th Five-Year Plan period with the government of each province (autonomous region or municipality). It has identified the "Six measures" for the prevention and control of water pollution. They are the followings: strictly control total emissions of pollutants; actively do well the work on the prevention and control of water pollution in key river basins; speed up the development of urban sewage treatment and garbage disposal facilities; firmly prevent safety accidents in relation to water environment; promote the optimization of economic structure and improve water environment quality; and practically do well the work on ensuring the safety of drinking water.

【Pollution Prevention and Control of Key River Basins】According to the requirements of the Decision, we take it as the first priority to ensure the safety of drinking water in our environmental protection work. In 2006, SEPA launched a special law enforcement inspection in drinking water source protected areas with over 7,600 such sources across the country checked and more than 1,400 pollution sources threatening the safety of drinking water banned or removed. As a result, some pre-eminent environmental problems that had threatened the safety of drinking water for a long time have been addressed. SEPA has taken active and effective measures to facilitate pollution prevention and control of key river basins. The development of the 11^th Five-Year Plans for key river basins such as the "Three rivers (Yangtze River, Yellow River and Huaihe River)", "Three lakes (Taihu Lake, Chaohu Lake and Dianchi Lake)", Three Gorges reservoir areas and their upstream, Xiaolangdi Reservoir area and its upstream section of the Yellow River has obtained active coordination. The 11^th Five-Year Plan of the SonghuaRiver Basin for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution has been approved by the State Council for implementation. The work on claring out the bed of the Three Gorges Reservoir areas has been finished with complete success, which ensured stable quality of the water of 156 m impoundment of the reservoir.

【Pollution Treatment and Protection of the Songhua River】The authority continued its efforts in pollution prevention and control of the aftermath of the Songhua River water pollution accident. It has organized and finished the China-Russia loint monitoring on water pollution of the SonghuaRiver during the ice melting period. As a result, the crisis resulting from the SonghuaRiver water pollution accident has been tided over safe and sound. SEPA in cooperation with relevant departments of the State Council, the People's Governments of Heilongjiang Province and Jilin Province initiated the project titled "Assessment on Ecological Environment Impacts of the Songhua River Pollution Accident and Countermeasures". Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have developed emergency response program for environmental pollution accident of the Songhua River Basin and organized a number of extensive inspections and special examinations on environmental safety.

Strengthening pollution treatment in the Songhua River Basin. Entrusted by the State Council, SEPA has signed the Target Responsibility Document on the Reduction of Total Discharge of Water Pollutants during the 11^th Five-Year Plan Period with the people"s governments of Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Plan of theSonghuaRiver Basin for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution (2006-2010) (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) has been approved by the State Council. The Plan has identified 222 pollution treatment projects such as treatment of industrial pollution, development of urban sewage treatment and recycling facilities, and pollution prevention and control in key regions with total investment of 13.366 billion yuan RMB. With the implementation of the Plan in an all round way, the first 230 million yuan fund for pollution prevention and control has been appropriated to Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Establishment of the Long-term Mechanism for China-Russia Environmental Cooperation. China has furthered China-Russia environmental cooperation to better address water pollution of transboundary rivers. In Febuary of 2006, China and Russia signed the Agreement on the Establishment of Environmnetal Protection Sub-Commission of China-Russia Premier Regular Meeting Commission. Environmnetal Protection Sub-Commission has passed the Environmnetal Protection Sub-Commission Regulations and set up the following three groups: working group on pollution prevention & control and emergency communications for environmental disasters, working group on trans-boundary nature reserves and conservation of biodiversity and working group on the monitoring and protection of the quality of transboundary waters. The establishment of Environmnetal Protection Sub-Commission marks the new stage of environmental cooperation between China and Russia.

【Investigation on Ground Water Resources and Pollution Prevention and Control】In 2006, the authority continued its investigation on ground water resources and their environmental problems across China. It focused on the investigation, assessment and trial studies on the balance and dynamic trend of ground water resources of the Yellow River basin, three big river basins in Tibet and North China plain as well as the development and utilization of shallow ground water resources. It carried out investigations on ground water pollution in major cities and regions (including the Pearl River delta, the Yangtze River delta, plains of Huaihe River basin and North China Plains) across the country. It also launched emergency investigation and monitoring on ground water pollution of major sections of the Songhua River basin. In June of 2006, SEPA and Ministry of National Land and Resources jointly issued the Circular on the Development of National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Ground Water Pollution and began the compilation of such plan.