Construction began on the largest waterworks?for surface water supply in Zhanjiang on Jan 23, which when phase one is finished in 2018 will supply 250,000 cubic meters of water per day.

The project is based in Xiashan district and is sponsored by the Zhanjiang Water Management Investment Group. It is aimed to meet the increasing household and industrial water demands in the city.

Construction starts on Zhanjiang's largest surface water supply plant, in Xiashan district on Jan 23. [Photo/zjphoto.yinsha.com]

The waterworks were listed as one of the top 10 livelihood projects in Zhanjiang's government work report this year. When the whole construction is completed, it is expected to produce 500,000 cubic meters of water.

The State-owned Assets Supervision, Administration Commission of Zhanjiang City People's Government, Zhanjiang Water Management Investment Group and other officials attended the ground-breaking ceremony on Jan 23.

Zheng Zhanwen, project leader from Zhanjiang Water Management Investment Group details the construction process. [Photo/zjphoto.yinsha.com]

Zhanjiang is the only prefecture-level city that relies heavily on underground water in Guangdong province. Decades of exploitation has caused a more than 20-meter drop in the water table in urban areas, and if it continues it could seriously damage the water environment. According to Zhanjiang government, all underground water supply plants must be shut down by 2018.

When the plant comes into operation, it will fundamentally change the water supply system and improve water quality, according to the officials.