CCTV Live Broadcast丨The "Transformation" of sewage - a visit to the underground reclaimed water plant in the park

From July 8 to 9, 2023, Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2023 was held in Guiyang, Guizhou. The theme of the forum is "Pursuing Modernization of Harmony Between Humanity and Nature-Promoting Green and Low-Carbon Development". Ecological civilization is not a distant concept; it is closely related to our everyday lives. In Guiyang, there is a reclaimed water plant, which is hidden under the park. How does the reclaimed water plant hidden underground operate? How does it use "live" mud to "regenerate" sewage? On July 9, CCTV reporters came to Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant of China Water Environment, a reclaimed water plant hidden under the park, to reveal the significant value of a small water plant through an hour-long live broadcast.

Underground Factory Area, Above-ground Park and Science Museum of Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant in Guiyang

"Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant of China Water Environment is the first sunken reclaimed water plant in Guiyang. Our designed capacity is 50,000 tons per day, covering an area of 11 square kilometers, and serving a population of 270,000." introduced by Hao Wenlei, the director of Guiyang Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant, to the online audience.

Why is there no foul smell in the factory area as one might expect? In response to the journalist's query, Hao Wenlei provided an answer.

"The location where we are now, though considered the smelliest part of the factory, does not emit odors because the incoming sewage is processed through our odor collection system. This system creates a negative pressure that specifically gathers and treats the odors."

Hao Wenlei, director of Guiyang Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant, is introducing the basic situation of the water plant.

Guided by the plant director, Hao Wenlei, the journalist visited the underground level of the sunken-style factory area. Walking along a corridor approximately 4 meters wide and 400 meters long, they gradually introduced to the online audience the various treatment processes and techniques used in the water plant. The combination of natural light overhead and wall lighting ensures that the entire factory area is bright and transparent, devoid of any underground gloom.

Comparison of water samples of the influent, purified water and effluent

Finally, the journalist compared the water samples initially collected at the inlet with the influent, treated water and distilled water. It was observed that, to the naked eye, there was no discernible difference between the treated water and the distilled water. "Currently, our water discharge meets the standards of Grade IV surface water quality. We use this high-quality reclaimed water for ecological replenishment in the Nanming River," Hao Wenlei explained.

The China Water Environment innovatively proposed the system planning and management concept of "moderate concentration, local treatment, and nearby reuse". This led to the creation of an "urban-scale decentralized sunken reclaimed water ecosystem" as an innovative technical system for sewage treatment and resource utilization. Following the principle of "unified planning and step-by-step implementation", 21 new and upgraded reclaimed water plants have been constructed along the main and tributary streams of the Nanming River. The Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant is among these facilities.

As an essential showcase of Guiyang's achievements in ecological civilization construction, the Qingshan Sunken Reclaimed Water Plant has become one of the venues for the Guiyang International Forum on Ecological Civilization. In 2017, it was included in the first batch of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's national list of open facilities for environmental protection and urban sewage and garbage treatment facilities. It was also one of the first pilot units opened to the public in Guizhou Province. In 2020, it was listed as a landmark historical building in Guizhou Province's ecological civilization construction, receiving approximately 300 visitors annually and accumulating over 5,000 visitors in total.