The biggest sewage treatment system ever built by China's military began operation Monday in suburban Beijing.

Located in Changping District in northwest Beijing, the system is capable of handling 5,000 tons of sewage per day.

Built by an institute of the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army, the 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) system has the capacity to render harmless all the sewage discharged by six military units nearby.

The processed sewage will be used to water flowers and plants, and wash cars. Some of the water will be pumped into a nearby park to form a new landscape, such as artificial waterfalls, pools and reservoirs.

The use of the recycled water will reduce water consumption by about 200,000 tons each year, and save 600,000 yuan (US$75,000) in spending.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2003)