Local authorities say a recent inspection shows that the water quality of half of Beijing's rivers is quite satisfactory.
After eight successive years of drought, the water level in the city's two major reservoirs, namely the Miyun Reservoir and Guanting Reservoir, has declined.
However, an engineer with the Municipal Water Resources Bureau, Liu Peibin says that thanks to the protection of the city's water resources, Beijing has guaranteed an urban water supply and an additional 4,000 cubic meters of water for environmental use.
"Three major measures have been taken to protect the environment of the city's water resources. We've designated special protection and repair areas around the reservoirs. Clean ecological areas have also been established. Besides which, we've also treated over 85 percent of the sewage."
Liu Peibin says that as an 2008 Olympic host city, Beijing sees sewage treatment as extremely important.
At the moment, nine of 14 planned large-scale sewage treatment plants have been built and the five remaining ones are under construction.
After their completion, the city's sewage treatment rate will be maintained at over 90 percent.
Besides this, authorities say they will also continue to add recycled water into waterways to keep the water clean.
