Companies in China will not be allowed to discharge pollutants into rivers unless they get a license from authorities, according to a draft amendment to the country's water-protection law.

 

The draft says companies and water disposal operators must obtain a special license to discharging pollutants.

 

China's National People's Congress yesterday began collecting public opinion on the laws which will increase the protection of water resources in a growing water crisis.

 

Under the old water-protection laws, water pollutants could not be controlled and water shortages were frequently reported, said Zhou Shengxian, director of the Environmental Protection Administration.

 

In 2005, China reported 1,406 cases of pollution, nearly half of which involved water pollution, according to Zhou.

 

The drinking water used by more than 300 million rural residents is threatened, Zhou said.

 

The draft laws will strengthen the control of pollutants and order local governments to target their regional problems.

 

Local governments should halt new projects if pollutants exceed the target.

 

(Shanghai Daily September 6, 2007)