Although the peak water demand of the summer would decrease from last year, shortages may still occur in some city hot spots when high temperatures hit, Shanghai water authorities said yesterday.

Officials said shortages may occur due to aging facilities in some areas.

This year the highest daily water demand is expected to be more than 10 million cubic meters, 60 percent of it from the downtown area, according to the Shanghai Water Bureau.

To ensure supplies, the city has started restoration on many water-supply pipes.

The first phase of the Nanshi Water Plant will be put in operation soon, which will supply more than 780 cubic meters of water to the downtown area every day.

The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau said yesterday that the city would have 22 to 28 days when the daily maximum temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature of the summer may reach 38 to 39 degrees.

(Shanghai Daily July 7, 2009)