People stroll along the Baiyangshu section of the Taohe River in Yangquan city. [Photo/Yangquan Evening News]

The Baiyangshu section of the Taohe River, the mother river of Yangquan, has benefitted from the city's concerted efforts in recent years to improve the water quality, and as a result has experienced positive ecological and environmental change. 

Before 2019, due to poorly managed development, as well as sewage discharges on its banks and the random dumping of garbage, the Baiyangshu section's water quality was rated at Grade-V – the worst level in China's five-tier quality system for surface water. 

To transform the river's Baiyangshu section as soon as possible, Yangquan established a special team for water pollution control and issued plans. The city adopted measures – including strengthening urban domestic sewage treatment, industrial pollution preventions and controls, acting to control agricultural and rural pollution, carrying out water restoration and boosting its overall water environmental management.

At the end of 2019, the Baiyangshu section's water quality was officially withdrawn from the Grade-V category.

Moreover, the city has also continued to promote the continuous improvement of its water environment.

It has refined and implemented management measures and strengthened the prevention and control of water pollution. Furthermore, it has introduced rain and sewage diversions, improved the construction of sewage pipe networks and instigated reclaimed water recycling projects. The ecological protection along the riverbanks has also been expanded.

In 2020 and 2021, the water quality of Baiyangshu section was rated at Grade-III, which equates to a promising level.

According to the Yangquan bureau of ecology and environment, the city will next improve its work in the prevention and control of water pollution and aim to create a more livable environment for its residents.