Saving and protecting the water resources is particularly important to a nation like China, which holds less water resources per capita than the world average and faces a rising demand from accelerating industrialization and urbanization, the vice-premier said.

Zeng said China needs to step up its water-saving efforts, including widening the use of water-saving irrigation technologies, compulsory promotion of water-saving equipment and utensils and use of recycled water.

Priority will be given to the supply of safe drinking water to China's rural residents, one third of whom are still struggling with water shortages or polluted water sources, he said.

Concrete measures will be taken to tackle water pollution. The vice-premier said China aims to cut its water pollutant discharges as defined by chemical oxygen demand (COD) by at least 10 percent within five years.

By 2010, 70 percent of the waste water in Chinese cities will be treated before being discharged into the environment, he said.

Zeng also pledged further reforms to the water supply systems, a key part of which is to introduce competition in the sector and allow private capital, including foreign capital, to invest in the water supply and sewage treatment facilities.

The Fifth World Water Congress is co-hosted by China's Ministry of Construction and the International Water Association (IWA), the most authoritative association in the world water industry.

The theme of this year's congress is "sustainable management of water resources". It closes on Thursday.

Related Links
Water, Water Everywhere and Not A Drop To Drink...