Water woes

China's water quality continues to deteriorate, with 50 percent of the tap water in cities across the country not meeting national pollution standards, reports 21st Century Business Herald. Due to the country's urbanization push, there has been an increase in water consumption as well as sewage discharge. The reckless discharge of industrial waste has resulted in the pollution of over 80 percent of surface and underground water. The insufficient number of sewage treatment plants does not help; there is one wastewater treatment plant for every 1.5 million people. To improve water quality, the environmental ministry and the Ministry of Water Resources are seeking ways to prevent and control water pollution, with an estimated RMB2 trillion in investment.