ADB supports the most polluted lake restoration project in China

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said ADB has provided a $ 250 million credit for the restoration project of Ho Chao, the fifth largest freshwater lake in China, with the highest level of pollution in the country.

Chao Lake is an important source of water for industry, agriculture, water transport, tourism and entertainment in Anhui Province.

ADB water specialist, Qingfeng Zhang, said that Ho Chao was heavily polluted by the rapid economic growth and urban development of Anhui province in the last 20 years.

The project that ADB supports is within the framework of the 12-year overall program of the Chinese Government to revive polluted freshwater resources in the country.

Ho Chao

ADB noted that in recent years, not only in China but also in many developed countries in Asia, industrial pollution has been paid attention to ensure compliance with environmental and bilateral regulations. Pollution has not been paid adequate attention in urban areas, most rural settlements, and especially from animal husbandry, pesticide use, plant protection and fertilizer.

In order to help control agricultural and rural water pollution, the project will implement an ecological compensation program that provides incentives for farmers to replace chemical fertilizers with organic manure, while testing deliveries. translating waste water quotas of farmers and companies to more effectively control the level of pollution for Ho Chao.

The aforementioned credit will be allocated to eight new wastewater treatment plants and sewage collection networks to prevent wastewater flows currently pouring into Ho Chao, and for a collection and management sub-project. and solid waste disposal.

In addition, within the framework of this project, Anhui Province will also build artificial wetlands to reduce the amount of nutrients in Hu Chao.

Anhui Province has established the Chao Chao Lake Management Board (CLMA) - one of the first such agencies in China to manage and enforce all the assurance and use of Ho Chao water resources. .