Water Cut Off in China After Chemical Spill

Dec. 7, 2006

A city in central China had its water supply for over 30,000 residents cut off after wastewater tainted with toxic chemicals spilled into the Yangtze River.

Shanghai Daily reported that the spill occurred after a para benzoquinone workshop of a chemical company in Zhijang City, Hubei Province, caught fire. Firefighters worked to put out the fire, but water containing the chemicals leaked into the city’s sewage pipeline and ended up in the river.

Authorities ordered the local water plants to stop service in the city’s Jiangkou and Qixingtai districts.

The city’s water supply returned to normal later that evening. Authorities did not receive reports that people or livestock were affected.

Source: Shanghai Daily

Sign up for Wastewater Digest Newsletters
Get all the latest news and updates.