Update | Thousands in Wuhan see taps shut for a day amid 'stinky water' contamination
Officials investigate whether pollution, causing unsafe levels of ammonia and nitrogen, is coming from Yangtze
Hundreds of thousands of residents were affected as Wuhan suspended three water plants after detecting high levels of pollutants in the drinking water, just days after a benzene scare in a neighbouring province.
The authorities in Wuhan, Hubei province, found that the water contained ammonia and nitrogen exceeding the national safety standard, but the exact figures were not revealed. Excessive ammonia and nitrogen would cause tap water to smell bad, an environment protection bureau official said.
The Changjiang Times newspaper said the incident affected more than 300,000 residents in a 260 square kilometre area, while water supply to more than 100 food production factories were suspended as well.
The official, who chose not to be named, said they were investigating whether the pollution was coming from the Yangtze River, which along with its tributaries supply hundreds of mainland cities with water.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that the source is outside Wuhan. The provincial environmental authorities have sent four inspection teams to the upper reaches of the Yangtze,” he said.
The Wuhan city government announced on Weibo today that one plant in Baihezui had resumed operations this morning, along with the Guomian plant in Hanyang, which restarted supplies at 10.30am.
But another, Yushidun in Dongxihu district, remained closed due to water source contamination.