By hannover-web.com **Interview with Hu Yang, Deputy Director of the Ningbo Water Resources Bureau**
**Interviewer:** Ningbo, a coastal city in Zhejiang Province, is facing a water shortage despite its reputation as a water town. Can you elaborate on the current water resource situation here?
**Hu Yang:** Yes, indeed. Due to uneven distribution of water resources in both time and space, Ningbo’s per capita water resources are less than 50% of the national average. We’ve recognized the importance of finding alternative water sources to alleviate this issue.
**Interviewer:** What strategies is Ningbo employing to address the water scarcity?
**Hu Yang:** We’re focusing on the utilization of reclaimed water, which serves as a “second water source” for the city. Utilizing reclaimed water effectively can help balance supply and demand for water resources, improve the quality of our water environment, and support the overall green transformation of our economy and society.
**Interviewer:** Can you give us some insights into the technologies in place for processing reclaimed water?
**Hu Yang:** Certainly. For example, the Zhuangqiao Purification Plant is our first sunken treatment facility in Ningbo. When you enter the processing area, you’ll notice advanced equipment operating in a surprisingly quiet environment. Our treated wastewater goes through three stages: pre-treatment, high-efficiency biological treatment, and deep processing. The water quality is markedly better than Zhejiang’s discharge standards.
**Interviewer:** What happens to the reclaimed water after treatment?
**Hu Yang:** Over 90% of the reclaimed water produced at our facility is directed to ecological replenishment in the Jiangbei River. We’ve seen a significant improvement in water quality, which has stabilized to meet surface water Grade III standards.
**Interviewer:** Beyond the new facilities, how are older plants adapting to these new requirements?
**Hu Yang:** Many of our older wastewater treatment plants have been renamed purification plants, reflecting an upgrade in both technology and mindset. For instance, the Changfeng Purification Plant has implemented advanced deep-processing techniques, enhancing our ability to meet higher environmental standards.
**Interviewer:** How is technology improving the management of water resources in Ningbo?
**Hu Yang:** We’ve integrated a smart water management platform that consolidates real-time data from various purification plants. This system allows us to monitor production volumes and water quality more effectively, enabling timely interventions when necessary. Our wastewater treatment volume has seen a significant increase of 68% compared to a decade ago, resulting in over 150 million cubic meters of reclaimed water produced last year.
**Interviewer:** There have been remarkable changes in local rivers like the Changfeng River, where residents notice clearer waters. What initiated these improvements?
**Hu Yang:** Since July 2021, the Changfeng River has been replenished with reclaimed water from the Changfeng Purification Plant. The enhanced treatment processes we implemented have dramatically improved water quality, moving from a Grade IV to Grade III standard.
**Interviewer:** How does this reclaimed water usage benefit the local ecology?
**Hu Yang:** By supplying 160,000 tons of reclaimed water daily, we’ve significantly improved the local aquatic environment, enhancing biodiversity and fostering a self-repairing ecosystem. The integration of reclaimed water for ecological replenishment has led to a holistic approach to managing our water environment.
**Interviewer:** With climate events causing droughts, how is Ningbo tackling the needs of urban landscapes?
**Hu Yang:** We’ve begun using reclaimed water for irrigation in various parks, such as the Yinbin Park, which not only conserves our potable water resources but also reassures residents that this source does not deplete clean water supplies.
**Interviewer:** How do you see the future of reclaimed water projects in Ningbo?
**Hu Yang:** We are committed to expanding the scale of reclaimed water use across the city. Plans are in place for an extensive network of pipelines, allowing us to increase our delivery capacity to 600,000 to 800,000 tons per day. We anticipate this will create a broader range of applications for reclaimed water, reducing overall resource consumption.
**Interviewer:** What does this mean for the residents and the environment?
**Hu Yang:** The implementation of these strategies has already seen our reclamation rate in downtown Ningbo rise to 29.4%. As we continue to innovate and expand our reclamation processes, we aim to ensure a sustainable water supply for both our population and the environment.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Hu Yang, for sharing these insights into Ningbo’s water management initiatives.
**Hu Yang:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share the progress we’re making.
