Nanshan promotes its green credentials

Nanshan district in Shenzhen is upholding its strategy of green development and ecological establishment which it first introduced in 1990, and has achieved notable results in improving the district's water environment.

Adopting a whole-basin water management mechanism, Nanshan district made efforts to not only reduce pollution, but also enhance its pollution control and treatment.

Statistics show that the overall quality of surface water in the district has improved markedly, with black and odorous water bodies being eliminated since tough measures adopted by the district were introduced in 2016.

The rate of good water quality in the Nanshan district rose to 30.19 percent in the first five months of 2019 from 16.28 percent in 2017.

To strengthen efforts to prevent its rivers and lakes from becoming polluted, Nanshan district has implemented the river chief system at three administrative levels, which are district, street and community.

Adhering to the principle of integrating water control with city governance, the district launched a targeted project to guarantee the quality of citizen's drinking water.

The district is also working on drainage network transformation to split the flow of rainwater from sewage.

As of now, Nanshan district has completed its transformation of the  drainage network, with the rate of sewage collection and treatment reaching 98 percent.

Looking ahead, the district is scheduled to entrust professional drainage companies to take over maintenance of all public drainage pipes and canals in its communities, which is expected to realize a refined and long-term management mechanism.

In addition, the district has cracked down on all kinds of illegal acts that pollute the water environment, especially from businesses.

The district has urged restaurants to make treat catering waste considerately, automotive repair shops to set up sand sinks and sidewalk snack vendors to discharge waste into the specialized pipe network.

According to statistics, in 2019, Nanshan district investigated and prosecuted 77 violations of water regulations.

With efforts made, the district ranked first for water quality in Shenzhen in the first quarter of 2020, according to the local ecological authority.

Meanwhile, Nanshan district recorded a rate of good air quality maintained at more than 90 percent all year round. It has 136 parks in total, with a green coverage rate exceeding 50 percent.

Last year, Nanshan won a national honorary title as a Practice and Innovation Base of “Lucid waters and Lush Mountains”. It was the only winner on the list located in a highly developed city center.