Supplying water to Beijing for the upcoming 2008 Olympics is a major issue in the planning and preparations for the games. Chinese officials estimate a 30% increase over average in Beijing's water consumption in the summer of 2008. A drought in neighboring Hebei province has raised concerns about the summer water supply. The Chinese Government is rushing the construction of a pipeline from Shaanxi province, which they hope will help the situation.
Olympics Water Supply News and information
- Google News: Olympics Water Supply
- BBC News: "Olympics 'Threat to Water Supply'" (February 27, 2008)
- "The diversion of water for the Beijing Olympics threatens the livelihoods of millions of people, a senior Chinese government official has said."
- Xinhua News: "China Finishes Canal to Ensure Water Supply for Beijing" (February 27, 2008)
- The Guardian: "China's Olympic Water Province Faces Severe Drought" (February 26, 2008)
- Xinhua News: "Beijing to Check Water Safety Daily Ahead of Olympics" (Feburary 7, 2008)
- "The capital, which has ongoing water supply problems, has prepared to guarantee sufficient water for the Olympics. Water diverted through the country's south-north diversion project will reach Beijing by March."
- Telegraph: " China Wrung Dry of Water for Thirsty Olympics" (February 4, 2008)
- Red Orbit: "China's Hebei Boosts Wetland Reserves to Ensure Olympic Water Supply" (October 25, 2007)
References
Fast Facts
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Officials expect a 30% increase in water consumption over average during the Beijing Olympics
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Presently, most of Beijing's water comes from neighboring Hebei province BBC: Olympics 'threat to water supply' (February 27, 2008)
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Droughts in Hebei have raised concerns for the Olympic water supply
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Hebei reports over 12,740 square miles affected by drought
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Still, additional pipeline is being constructed in Hebei
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An additional pipeline is being rushed to supply water to Beijing from Shaanxi province
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The controversial pipeline is part of a larger scale system, designed to bring water from the south to the north
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Officials and citizens in Shaanxi object to the project because it has already affected the province's water supplies
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Additionally, the project has forced many factories to shut down in Shaanxi
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Beijing officials have declared the water supply and water safety for the 2008 Olympics a priority
