Download
The recent contamination of tap water in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, has exposed weaknesses in the city's management, especially its failure to supervise Lanzhou Veolia Water Co, the main supplier of water to the city, according to a city government spokesperson.
On Friday, authorities found levels of benzene, a chemical used in making plastics and which is known to cause cancer, that far exceeded national safety limits in the tap water of two districts in Lanzhou. Authorities turned off the supply of water to one district and warned residents not to drink the tap water for the next 24 hours. The contamination affected more than 2 million residents.
The water supply was resumed in all of the city's districts on Monday after test results showed that the level of benzene was below the national limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
On Tuesday, Wang Ning, spokesman for the Lanzhou city government, said at a news conference that the incident exposed the city's failure to adequately manage Lanzhou Veolia, a joint venture established in 2007 that supplies water to 2.4 million people in four districts of downtown Lanzhou.
The city has a total population of more than 3.6 million.
Wang said at the conference that the city government will regularly test for benzene in the tap water "in accordance with the industry structure of the city". Veolia will also brief local residents on the quality of its water on a monthly basis.
Zheng Zhiqiang, deputy head of a government team tasked with investigating the incident, told China National Radio that the team will look into whether the company delayed its reporting of the contamination.
Zheng said the team found that the company detected levels of benzene in the tap water as early as April 2, although the level of benzene was only slightly above the national limit.
Veolia Water Co said on Monday that the company's detection of benzene in the tap water on April 10 was "pure coincidence" because benzene is an item that the company only tests for every six months.
The company said it was testing the tap water quality in Lanzhou as part of a project with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development when it detected the contamination.
The city government has begun a project to retrofit the concrete duct between Veolia's water stations with iron pipelines. The project is expected to be completed in three months.
But the authority's actions have failed to comfort many local residents. On Monday, the Lanzhou Intermediate People's Court rejected a lawsuit filed by five city residents who sought civil damages, a public apology and data from water quality tests over the past year from Lanzhou Veolia.
The court said on its official micro blog that it rejected the lawsuits based on Chinese law. According to China's Civil Procedure Law, the only parties that can file lawsuits are government agencies and related organizations.
Wu Tianying, a lawyer who lives in the city's Chengguan district, said he has filed a lawsuit against Lanzhou Veolia at the court in Lanzhou's Xigu district. Wu demanded data from water quality tests over the past year, a health examination for him and his family members and compensation of 1 yuan (16 US cents).
Questions:
1. What is the capital of Gansu province?
2. What is benzene used for?
3. What is the population of Lanzhou?
Answers:
1. Lanzhou.
2. Making plastics.
3. 3.6 million.
About the broadcaster:
Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.
首相: 神经毒剂袭击案“很可能”是俄罗斯所为
国际英语资讯:Top U.S. commander pledges U.S. support for Israels security
国际英语资讯:Palestine, UN launch 539 mln USD appeal to aid Palestinians
国际英语资讯:Global scientists give accolades to Hawkings accomplishments
国际英语资讯:UN Security Council calls for unhindered humanitarian access in Yemen
Me, in Ten Years 十年后的我
Telling Lies 撒谎
国际英语资讯:At least 49 killed in US-Bangla Airlines plane crash in Nepal, one Chinese onboard
前韩国总统李明博因腐败案接受问话
国际英语资讯:FMs of Romania, Bulgaria, Greece meet to strengthen regional cooperation
White Day 白色情人节
国际英语资讯:Feature: Civilians evacute Syrias Eastern Ghouta after six-year siege
国际英语资讯:Qatar accuses UAE of repeated airspace violations
The Traditional Culture 传统文化
普京获绝对多数选票即将开始新总统任期
World Consumer Rights Day 消费者权益日
国际英语资讯:Syrias Assad visits frontline area in Eastern Ghouta
The Most Difficult Language to Learn 最难学的语言
体坛英语资讯:China wins womens team crown in 2019 Asian Table Tennis Championships
国际英语资讯:Kuwait, Ukraine ink deals to boost bilateral ties
My Hometown 我的家乡
国际英语资讯:Eurozone to unlock 5.7-bln-euro loan to Greece
Trees Planting Day 植树节
斯洛文尼亚总理辞职
国际英语资讯:UN chief to attend Rome conference in support of UN agency for Palestine refugees
国际英语资讯:30,000 civilians evacuate from Eastern Ghouta Saturday: state media
The Meaning of Women’s Day 妇女节的意义
美欧贸易高官本星期再谈关税问题
日本首相促朝鲜在放弃核武上言出必行
库尔德武装誓言将成为土耳其军队的“恶梦”
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |