RTR1STHN.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Authorities urged the residents of Beijing to conserve water amid the pressures of sustained drought and climbing water prices.
Beijing Waterworks group reported that household water consumption has decline by 0.17 cubic meters daily, an average drop of 2 liters per person. Beijing residents can save 10 million cubic meters of water a year if this trend continues.
After the major price hike in May 2014, residents have resorted to recycling water, such as reusing laundry water to mop the floor or to flush the toilet.
The Beijing water authority noted that car washes, bath houses and golf courses are now all required to use recycled water.
"All of our waste water is pooled, and then filtered and processed to be used again," said Cao Jinghui, manager of a car wash in Xicheng District.
He also added that 1 ton of water lasted at least 10 days from the previous two days of consumption.
Even in the suburban area of Pinggu District, the recycling of water at car washes is mandatory. The local water bureau supplies every car wash with recycled water, which it delivers by water tank truck. This is expected to cut annual water consumption by at least 20,000 tons, the Global Times reported.
Beijing last year introduced a tiered pricing system. Currently, 5 yuan per cubic meter is the lowest tier price for households with annual consumption of less than 180 cubic meters. The lowest tier is on 90 percent of all households.
The Global Times accounted that those households with annual water consumption between 180 and 260 cubic meters are charged 7 yuan per cubic meter, while those that use more than 260 cubic meters a year must pay 9 yuan.
