The Asian Development Bank said Monday it approved an 80 million-dollar loan to help clean up one of China’s most polluted rivers. It covers about half the cost of reducing pollution in the Hai river basin of Shandong province in China’s industrial belt, the Philippines-based lender said in a statement.
The bank estimates that more than 80 percent of the river water is polluted due to industrial discharge, particularly from paper and pulp production.
Four waste treatment plants would be built along with three solid waste management facilities.
“By improving environmental and sanitary conditions in the project areas, the project is expected to reduce the incidence of water- and vector-borne diseases, and improve living conditions,” said ADB economist Lyaziza Sabyrova.
The loan carries market rates and matures in 25 years, with payments to start after five years.
Source: Agence France-Presse
