Conservation still a priority for capital

With the central route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project about to bring 9.5 billion cubic meters of water each year to benefit Beijing and the dry north, authorities said conserving water and enhancing water efficiency are still a priority for the north.

He Fengci, deputy director of the Beijing office of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, said that although Beijing will receive more than 1 billion cubic meters of diverted water every year, the capital's water scarcity cannot be alleviated long-term because of the surging water demand that comes with rapid economic development.

"Every drop of water is precious," He said, adding that no matter how much water can be diverted to the capital, saving water and raising water efficiency cannot be neglected.