Changyang practice shows potential for solving water shortage

By Yan Wanqin, Yichang International Communication Studio

The water supply project in Dayan Township, Changyang, has successfully filled the water plant with water from the Qing River, bringing an end to water shortages for local residents.

Dayan Township's unique karst landscape poses significant water conservation challenges. Within the township, there are 15 villages, with 4 situated in the Qing River reservoir area. Unfortunately, the remaining 11 villages, home to over 26,000 residents, frequently grapple with water scarcity.

To tackle this issue, a local water plant was constructed in 2019, however, its primary water source relies on groundwater flowing from local caves, which proves insufficient during droughts. In the summer of 2022, the water supply to the town was restricted to a mere one hour per day, highlighting the severity of the situation.

"In the early years of the drought, water was delivered to the streets by tanker trucks, and we had to go downstairs every day to collect water," Gong Haiyan, a villager from Dayan Village in Dayan Township, said.

To effectively solve the water shortage problem the local government launched a water supply project in the second half of 2022.

Lei Yixi, the deputy director of Changyang Rural Water Supply Service Center, revealed essential details about the water intake process. Water is pumped from the source, situated at an altitude of 180 meters above sea level in the Geheyan reservoir area of the Qing River. Remarkably, the water undergoes a drastic change in elevation to reach the third stage pumping station, which stands at an altitude of more than 700 meters.

The old water plant in the town is located over 600 meters above sea level.

Following the process of flocculation, precipitation, filtration, and disinfection, the water is made safe for consumption. This summer, over 8,000 residents in the town experienced uninterrupted access to treated water, delivered at a consistent and reliable pressure.

"Now there is water whenever you turn on the tap, which makes it easy to take a bath," Gong said.

In the future, the pumping station will also pump water to the new water plant which is currently under construction. The new water plant is located at an altitude of over 800 meters above sea level, and the water supply network will be laid to every villager's home in the 11 villages outside the town. 

With an expected completion in 2024, the project will culminate in granting every individual in Dayan Township access to water from the Qing River.

Wan Longyun and Zheng Jialu contributed to this report.