China in fear of water contamination

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Keywords: Crisis, Contamination

China: Water supplies to the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin are being shipped in from neighbouring provinces after the city's water supply was cut off for fear of chemical contamination.

The water supply was shut down after a blast at a chemical plant on November 13, a few hundred metres from the Songhua River, which supplies water to Harbin.

Five people were killed. Residents were also reported to be jamming the airport and railway stations to get out.

Taps were turned off in Harbin after rumours of an imminent earthquake had already triggered panic buying of bottled water and food.

State television showed pictures of workers testing samples from the Songhua River.

Officials have been trying to calm a worried public.

"The water is drinkable, there's no problem," said Tian Huijun, Director of a local water treatment plant.

The Beijing Times newspaper said that the pollutants in the river included benzene, an industrial solvent and component of petrol, and that they had reached the city.

Fifteen hospitals were on standby to take in contamination victims.

Local residents have besieged local supermarkets to buy up water supplies.

"We have water from Dalian and Tianjin and I think the water supply will be guaranteed," said a local supermarket manager.

More than 16,000 tonnes of bottled water was being transported to Harbin from nearby cities and provinces.

All bathhouses and car-wash garages had been shut down and primary and middle schools closed.