The Information Office of State Council held a press conference in Beijing to address the problem of water shortage in north China which has suffered severe drought.

Zhang said that water conservation to reduce water utilization and consequently decrease discharge is a long-term policy and the core of the work on urban water resources.

"Experiences of 'stair price' for various water consumption and penalty price for excess over the planned water amount have to be continuously disseminated," said the vice minister.

He also recommended that the system connecting water-use quota with water conservation assessment to be promoted and extended.

If the localized industrial water quota and water conservation assessment indicators are formulated with full attention, the water conservation is sure to be enhanced, he explained.

The vice minister noted that integrated management of water resources should be adopted, including integrated planning, regulation and distribution, issuance of water withdrawal permission, levy of water fee and management of water volume.

Comprehensive water affair management system in urban areas has to be encouraged such as flood control, drainage, storage, water supply, water consumption, water conservation, sewage treatment and recycling to improve water efficiency constantly, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency 06/21/2001)