Shanghai, the biggest city in China, plans to improve the quality of its tap water by 2010 so that it can be drunk directly, according to local officials.

By 2010 when the World Expo was due to be staged in the city, tap water in central Shanghai will be up to the drinking water standards set by the United States environmental protection authorities.

Additional standards will be set for aspects of concern around the world, such as side effects from water disinfection, local officials said.

To achieve the target, Shanghai plans to upgrade its pumping facilities to increase the flow of clean water in the upper reaches of the Huangpu River, one of its main water sources, and pump water from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

The city also plans to improve processing techniques at its water plants and replace its outdated water supply pipes.

Shanghai is currently capable of supplying 10.48 million cubic meters of tap water each day, sufficient for demand.

(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2002)