A draft rule on water use being discussed by the capital's municipal congress has been available online since Feb. 5 for comments from Beijingers, according to the Beijing Morning Post.  

The draft proposes that institutions and individuals who do outstanding work in saving water be rewarded by the government, and those who waste water be punished.

Achievements in the development, exploitation, protection and management of water resources will also be rewarded, according to the draft. In addition, rainfall-collection facilities should also be listed as part of all construction, reconstruction and expansion projects.

The municipality will take strict measures to protect water resources, said the draft, a proposed implementation of the national water law.

Mineral and geothermal water will be tapped through franchise licensing, and the water price will rise gradually in case of over-use of water.

The amount of regenerated water used for environmental, afforestation and construction purposes, however will not subject to such limitations, according to the draft.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2004)