Hefei chooses environment over polluting businesses

Four years ago, Hefei, the provincial capital of central China's Anhui province, was trying to lure as many businesses as possible to set up in the city. But as any visitor to Hefei this spring would notice, the government's agenda is now eco-friendly.

The city, best known for its industries sports a new lush look -- trees bursting with color, canals gurgling and picturesque scenery - and this is no mere coincidence. The city's authorities have decided that they only grant business permits to companies which are considered environment friendly.

Only four years ago, the city occupied one of the last few places in GDP rankings for all provincial capitals, which prompted it to promote itself as an industrial hub. Back then, it attracted and welcomed all kinds of businesses to set up factories.

"By the end of this year, we will not let a single drop of polluted water to be poured into Chaohu Lake, our life line," the mayor of Hefei, Wu Cunrong, told reporters visiting the Central China Expo last week.

Chaohu Lake is one of China's five largest freshwater lakes and one of its most polluted too. In the summers of 2004, 2007 and 2008 the lake saw algae in its water. These algae blooms were chiefly caused by untreated sewage containing high concentrations of nitrogen, a main ingredient in detergents and fertilizers.

This is not the first time the mayor has made such ambitious plans for water pollution control. The city hopes to complete installing a comprehensive wastewater treatment system, which will deal with 100 percent of the industrial wastewater, by 2010.

The city's 3.8 billion yuan investment (of which 84 percent was used for water pollution control) in environmental projects demonstrates its determination to fight pollution. The spending equals the total the city invested in environmental protection between 2001 and 2005.

With Hefei's environment officials being given a free hand to veto any business projects that are not environmentally viable, the city has turned down more than 10 projects. The city's total investment in 2008 was 184 billion yuan ($27 billion).

"Hefei will not follow the coastal cities in pursuing an export-oriented and resource-consuming manufacturing business model, which brought them quick growth, but a deteriorating environment. Our business engine should be resource-saving and environmentally sound," the mayor said.

Sun Jinlong, the secretary of Hefei Municipal Committee, once said that although Hefei would not be able to catch up with developed coastal cities in terms of annual GDP, it would be proud of its green city and clear waters. And so far, that plan seems to be on track, with the city's big polluters cooperating in its environmental cause.

Hefei Ma'anshan Iron & Steel (Masteel) adopted a 110 million yuan wastewater recycling system that reduced its water consumption per ton of steel by a remarkable 92 percent, from 48 tons in 2006 to 3.8 tons in 2008. This single action has helped the city reduce to half its industrial wastewater disposal.

The Anhui Chlor-Alkali Chemical Group has also been using new technologies to cut its chemical oxygen demand (COD) level by 40 percent. COD is a water pollution indicator,

According to Hefei's mayor, Wu, the city's energy and water consumption per unit of GDP is far below the average level across the country.

The plan to decrease Hefei's water pollution levels will also enable the city to promote itself as a favorable place to live.

The population of the city is increasing each day and the authorities are hoping that the construction of a new satellite residential town along the Chaohu Lake will relieve some of the pressure. With the new anti-pollution policy, the government hopes that the favorable living environment will be an attraction to prospective home buyers.

The city is also developing a 60 kilometers-long yachting route for people to enjoy the beautiful waters of Chaohu Lake.

(China Daily 04/27/2009 page3)