Poison sewage pits in north China cause widespread water pollution

World Today

Air pollution isn’t the only environmental challenge that China faces. Sewage pits are known to pollute groundwater, making it undrinkable.

CGTN’s Ning Hong reports.

Poisoned dark water is left to dry in the open air.

Ponds like these stretch a long distance and cover a vast area. The ponds sport different colors, like green and dark red.

Locals said such ponds have been here for decades.

One resident said these ponds are the result of chemical plants that used to be located in the area. Plants such as these have been dumping waste for years.

And even though they’re gone now, the pollution remains.

Just a kilometer away is a small town called Nanfu. Villagers living there are angry about the pollution.

For years, they have been suffering from water pollution. With no regulations or measures in place, ground water is also tainted.

Water from wells less than 300 meters deep is rendered undrinkable.

The local government has been trying to draw water from other regions, yet the plan hasn’t been put into practice.

There is no other source of water to be had, and most villagers have no choice but to continue drinking polluted water. They are complaining that they may get cancer in the long run.