A sanitation worker in Taiyuan dredges up floating objects in the water to maintain a clean and tidy water system. [Photo/Taiyuan Evening News]

The water quality of Taiyuan city's section of the Fenhe River has risen above Grade III, a superior level in the national five-tier water quality system. 

This was another leap in the water quality for the Taiyuan section of the Fenhe River since the city completely eliminated all water bodies inferior to Grade V in June 2020. Grade V is the lowest level of water classification that cannot meet standards for drinking, or industrial or agricultural usage.

Among the six national-level inspection centers along the Fenhe River in Taiyuan, the water quality at Fenhe Reservoir and Shanglan is Grade I – the best level. The water quality at Libagou and Yingzeqiao is Grade II, and the water quality at Hanwu village and Hedi village is Grade III.

In recent years, Taiyuan has regarded the treatment and restoration of the water in the Fenhe River basin as an important task. Since 2019, the city has treated 126.9 kilometers of black and odorous canals, and eliminated all black and odorous water bodies in built-up areas.

In May 2020, Taiyuan has been improving its sewage collection and treatment system.

Since 2021, the city has rectified 1,378 river outlets, and started the renovation of more than 500 rainwater and sewage mixed connection sites, further improving the city's sewage treatment capacity.