City hoping to mop up problem of waste water

Beijing is likely to suffer from a 12th consecutive year of drought, according to local authorities and experts who warned of water shortages and called for improved water conservation.

The latest information, which was released by the Beijing Water Authority (BWA), indicates that from June 1 to Sept 15, there was only 273 mm of rain on the capital, 40 percent less than the average from previous years.

The amount of rain that fell during the rainy season this year was the lowest for 50 years, according to the city's meteorological department.