SHENZHEN, which has been plagued by a chronic water shortage, is saying “enough is enough” for water-guzzling flush tanks.
COMPANIES and institutions whose flush tanks and valves do not meet water conservation standards have been ordered to replace them with water-saving ones by the end of October.
According to a new rule approved by the city government, those who continue using flush tanks of more than 9 liters in volume will have to pay a fine and have the amount of water supplied too them reduced by 30 to 60 percent.
The water affairs bureau will not accept applications from these companies and institutions for an increase in water supply, a report in the Southern Metropolis Daily said yesterday.
Enterprises and institutions that consume 200,000 cubic meters of water a year or above must conduct water consumption tests as required by the bureau. Those fail to conduct the tests by the end of October will face a penalty from 10,000 (US$1,429) to 30,000 yuan and the water bureau will reduce their water supply by 30 to 60 percent.
The city is planning to popularize water saving among residents by the end of the year. The reuse rate of industrial water will reach 75 percent by the end of this year.
Enterprises and institutions which upgrade water pipes and other equipment can apply for subsidies from the city’ trade and industry bureau and development and reform bureau.
By the end of 2009, the number of companies saving water will account for 14 percent of the total companies in the city, according to the plan.
(Han Ximin)