Unsafe water tops environment fear

Unsafe drinking water in rural areas topped last year's environmental concerns, according to a report from a non-governmental organization based in Beijing.

About 320 million people, most of them farmers, still have no access to safe water, according to the recently released report themed "China's Environment in 2006: Changes and Struggles".

The report said farmers in northern areas suffer from water shortages, while in eastern areas water quality is not up to acceptable standards.