GUANGZHOU: A large reservoir designed to ensure a safe water supply for the western Pearl River Delta region and Macao will start construction in Zhuhai in October, a source with Zhuhai water resource authority said yesterday.

Zhuyin Reservoir, located in Doumen district, will start water transmission next year to neighboring Macao, which relies heavily on water supply from Zhuhai, according to the source.

The 850-million-yuan project, with a designed water level of 50 meters, will enhance capabilities to fight frequent salt tides which have been troubling the region in recent years, said He Chengwei, an engineer of the project.

According to He, the current smaller Yuekeng reservoir will be added to the new reservoir, a move to increase water storage by 2 million cubic meters.

"The western Pearl River Delta region and Macao have long been affected by salt tides in recent years. And drinking water supply here has subsequently been threatened," said He.

According to him, the water source of the new reservoir has been relocated 8 kilometers up the river from the position in the original plan in order to tap into cleaner water sources.

"Upon completion of the project, locals from both cities will be able to drink clean water," he said.

Currently, the daily water consumption in Zhuhai and Macao has reached about one million cubic meters. And the number is expected to double upon the project's completion.

Zhuyin Reservoir, one of the key projects in Guangdong province this year, will have a water capacity of more than 40 million cubic meters, larger than the combined capacity of 38 million cubic meters of the city's current 17 reservoirs.

"After the project's completion by 2010, the daily water supply to Macao will increase from the current 200,000 cubic meters to 700,000 cubic meters," he said.

A special long-term plan to ensure safe water for both Zhuhai and Macao had also been approved by the State Council, according to He.

"Along with enhanced capabilities to control salt tides, the project will also help ensure water supply for industrial use in Zhuhai," he said.

(HK Edition 04/15/2008 page1)