June 20, 2008 -- Wuhan officially kicked off Big East Lake Ecological Water-Net Project on March 2008. The 2.66 billion yuan (US$ 0.38 billion) is part of plans to connect 6 major lakes in the Wuchang District and to restore the ecological landscape. The project's planned completion is 2012 and Wuhan Water Authority will undertake the major construction, according to government statistics.

Wuhan is expected to become China's largest city wetlands group and largest city eco-tourism resort.

Wuhan tops in the number of lakes among China's major cities. Most of the lakes though are not connected or intercepted, so it's difficult for the lakes to naturally restore their aquatic environment. The Big East Lake Ecological Water-Net Project will try and restore six lakes in Wuchang. These lakes are namely East Lake, Shahu, Yang Chun Lake, Yan West Lake, Yan East Lake, and North Lake. They cover a surface area of 62.6 square kilometers (24.2 square miles), an area 11 times the size of West Lake in Hangzhou, according to information from Wuhan municipal government.

"Based on the principle of harmony between man and nature, the project aims to build healthy aquatic ecosystems by taking overall measures in tackling water pollution, water network rehabilitation, waterfront protection, ecological restoration, water ecological maintenance and management," Jiuhua Xiang, a project construction expert with Wuhan Water Authority, told Emerging China.

Big East Lake Ecological Water-Net Project will not only centralize its efforts on the benefits for humans but also improve the environment for marine life as well.

"Hopefully we will rebuild sound water habitats for plants and animals and make clean and pure water a spectacle for city dwellers and visitors," Xiang added.

Previously, the major construction of the project was completed at the end of 2007. The waters connecting the Yangtze River and Hanjiang River along with 12 dykes have cleaned up, according to statistics from Wuhan Water Authority.

"Flowing water does not rot. We have gradually realized the concept of treating dead waters by connecting lakes and rivers from the exemplar of the Wuhan lake project," Kangfu Liu, chief engineer of Wuhan Clear Water Technology Company, told Emerging China.

In response to public worries about possible pollution of the Yangtze River by lake waters, Tiebing Jiang, director of Wuhan Water Authority, confirmed at the launch ceremony of Big East Lake Ecological Water-Net Project that connectivity of lakes and rivers will not contaminate the Yangtze River because thorough research has been done in regard to flood control, sediment control, water logging and pollution prevention, according to Xinhua agency.

"At present, we have about 10 sewage treatment plants surrounding East Lake with a sewage treatment capacity of 920,000 metric tons per day (230 million gallons per day). Another 13 water treatment plants will be built to improve water treatment capacity," Xiang added.

Though Wuhan City Water Authority is in charge of major construction, Big East Lake Ecological Water-Net Project is also done under the cooperation of WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Climate Partnership by HSBC Bank.

"The Wuhan office of WWF will participate in the project 's propaganda and environmental protection awareness education process while HSBC will provide financial assistance," Man Yang, a spokesperson for WWF (Wuhan office) told Emerging China.

"The HSBC Climate Partnership will donate 2 million yuan (US$ 0.39 million) to support the project. Big East Lake Ecological Water-Net Project will serve as a demonstration in building healthy wetland ecosystems in the Yangtze region, as there are many lakes, rivers, and dykes along the Yangtze River Reach," Yang added.

The Big East Lake Ecological Water-Net Project will also benefit local residents.

"City dwellers will benefit from the improvement of water quality, an indicator of climate and living environment," Shuiping Cheng, researcher at the Institute of Aquatic Organisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Emerging China. "But the maintenance of the lakes' ecological restoration still has a long [ways] to go"

In the past two years, Wuhan has spent 10 million yuan (US$ 1.43 million) on sewage treatment plants and drainage facilities. However, the sewage treatment rate is still below standard 80 percent, according to statistics from Wuhan City Water Authority.

"China's growing awareness of water shortage and resource conservation can mean opportunities and prospects for big foreign players in the water market," Boxing Qiu, vice director of China's Construction Department said at a press conference by the State Council in 2007. "We welcome multinationals and their technology and management expertise."

China has declared cleaner water to be one of its major policy goals, and it has thrown open the doors to foreign firms eager to grab a piece of the fast-growing US$14.2 billion market. So far, Suez Group, Thames Water, Veolia Group and Berlin Water Works have a foothold in China's water market, according to Xinhua agency.

Suez Environment, for example, will invest €100 million or US$158 million, annually in sewage treatment and water projects in China over the next five years, according to China Finance Times, a national-based financial newspaper.

"China has decided to allow private companies, including foreign investors, to participate in water supply and sewage products." Jean-Louis Chaussade, CEO OF Suez Environment said in an interview with Reuters. "We believe there will be considerable opportunities in water needs and environmental issues."

This has given Wuhan the opportunity to gain considerable assistance from foreign companies.

"Wuhan hopes to attract foreign players' participation in Big East Lake Projects with their sewage treatment experience and management expertise," Xiang with Wuhan Water Authority told Emerging China.