Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission will carry out a study on water resource safety evaluation and pollution prevention technology this year to prepare for the building of an underground water quality monitoring network.

China says that, over the next two to three years, it will invest more than CNY90 billion on waste water treatment to ensure drinking water safety.

Beijing is now soliciting public opinions on a new rule on water pollution prevention which states that no tap water shall be used for water landscape sites.

Sichuan province has enacted a ruling on the penalties to be imposed on environmental violations, and the ruling states that construction companies can be fined up to CNY10,000 for disturbing residents at night.

ITT Corporation has announced an expansion of its global corporate philanthropy program, ITT Watermark, with a USD200,000 investment toward improving water access for students and educators in mainland China.

Over 20 non-governmental organizations including Green Earth Volunteers have issued an open letter, calling on the public to pay more attention to water conservation efforts during the drought in many provinces in northern China.

Despite the slowing global economy and planned employee lay-offs around the world, German industrial giant Siemens has announced that it intends to invest considerably more in China than it had previously planned.