A new project bringing water from the Dongjiang River began operation Saturday, easing the water shortage of Pinghu, Guanlan and Longhua sub-districts.

It took a year and 200 million yuan (US$24 million) to build the 19.52-kilometer-long Longkou-Xikeng project, from Longkou pumping station in Dongguan to Xikeng Reservoir in Guanlan, Bao'an District. It is the third project bringing Dongjiang River to Shenzhen and the first phase of the city's northern water supply line. The whole north line will also cover Shajing, Songgang, Guangming and Gongming sub-districts in Bao'an.

The river, originating in Jiangxi Province, also feeds other cities including Huizhou and Hong Kong.

The Longkou-Xikeng project will provide 330,000 cubic meters of water a day, meeting the basic demand of the three sub-districts.

Zeng Hanliang, vice chief of Bao'an District, said the project resolved the water supply shortage for 1.2 million people in Guanlan and Longhua and would boost the economy of the two sub-districts, the Daily Sunshine reported.

"The water is lifesaving," Zeng was quoted as saying.

Longgang District officials said nearly 400,000 Pinghu residents would benefit from the project, which was also key to a logistics base under construction.

Shenzhen is heavily dependent on piping water from outside, which now accounts for 75 percent of the city’s total supply.

The city faces an immediate water shortage if the Dongjiang River falls to low levels or if there is a breakdown in the Dongjiang River projects.

Shenzhen has been suffering a severe water shortage, which is even more serious this year, the third consecutive year of drought.

(Shenzhen Daily November 22. 2004)