The Ministry of Land and Resources announced Wednesday a report on underground water resources of the country's 143 cities and regions, suggesting an overall good quality.

The report said that the underground water levels in these places have been largely affected by rain and human exploitation.

In general, the water levels in the northeast, north and northwest regions continued to fall, while those in east, middle and southwest regions remained stable.

The underground funnels, which drain water resources, has sustained its area to 40,000 square km. in the north China region.

The report also noted that the water contamination appeared worse in the north than in the south.

It calls on people to five great attention to such problems as seawater intrusion, sporadic cave-ins and water contamination caused by sewage and fertilizer.

(Xinhua News Agency 07/25/2001)