"We cannot be blinded by optimism because repairing an ecosystem is a very long process," said Zhu Xipei, chief of the comprehensive secretary division of Shanghai Suzhou Creek rehabilitation project head office.

According to a survey conducted recently by the office, tons of sewage are still being directly discharged into the six major branches of the creek in urban areas.

Suzhou Creek is fed by more than 60 waterways in Shanghai but its six major branches - Pengyuepu, Mudugang, Shen-jigang, Zhenrugang, Xinjinggang and Huacaogang - contain 42 percent of the pollutants in the creek.

The first phase of a rehabilitation project, which cost about 7 billion yuan (US$846 million) from 1996 to 2002, has improved water quality significantly, helping it achieve the national "grade five" standard.

Shoals of small fish have now been found in the creek, as it starts to come back to life.

A total of 3,175 outlets which once directly discharged pollutants into the six major branches of the river were closed down in the first phase of the project.

Now the sewage is delivered via underground pipes to Shidongkou in Baoshan District, the city's largest sewage treatment plant which can treat up to 400,000 tons every day. There, it is treated to national waste water standards before being released into the Yangtze River.

"We will soon inspect each and every pollutant source in the area and cut them off if they fail to meet our standards," Zhu said.

With an investment of 3.94 billion yuan (US$476 million), the second phase is due to be completed by 2005. By then, the water quality should be much improved and the creek will be more scenic, he said.

More pump stations and pipes will be set up to upgrade the city's drainage system and prevent rainwater from entering the creek.

Four huge underground ponds will be constructed along the river's banks to store excess rainwater before treatment.

Meanwhile, 150,000 square meters of land along the waterway will be turned into green space to improve the environment and make the creek more accessible.

"It is feasible that people will be able to cruise along this beautiful waterway by 2010. The government is planning yacht wharves along the river," Zhu said. "It will become another landmark attraction for the city."

(China Daily June 20, 2003)