​People＇s Daily Online | Protecting the Yangtze River and Benefiting the People - Refreshing Guiyang, Revitalizing the City with Water

  At noon, under the sunshine, the Nanming River shimmered and was crystal clear. On the clear water, the landmark of Guiyang city - Jiaxiu Tower stands tall, welcoming numbersof tourists.

As night falls and the lanterns light up, strolling along the banks of the Nanming River, the refreshing breeze blowing across the river carries a hint of coolness, making people feel refreshed. Stoppingat Nanming Bridge and seeingthe dazzling lights reflecting on the rivercreatsa unique scenery.

Under the sunshine, the blue waves of Nanming River ripple. Photo by People's Daily reporter Wang Xiufang

Nanming River is an important tributary of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, running from southwest to northeast through the western, central, and northeastern parts of Guiyang City, with a total length of more than 150 kilometers and a basin population of about 3.1 million. It is the mother river of the people of Guiyang.

Before the 1970s, Nanming River was a direct source of drinking water. However, with the rapid advancement of industrialization and urbanization, the amount of sewage discharge has increased significantly, and the water quality of Nanming River has once become poor Class V, with endless calls for rescue.

In 2012, Guiyang launched the comprehensive management of water environment in the Nanming River Basin, with the principle of moderate concentration, on-site treatment, and nearby reuse. Sewage treatment plants were built along the main and tributary lines of the Nanming River, promoting the transformation of sewage treatment from bottom end protection to front-end reduction and distribution along the way.

Within the Chaohui block of Taiping Road in Yunyan District, the Guancheng River flows quietly. Photo by People's Daily reporter Wang Xiufang

In 2014, the first distributed undergroundreclaimed water plant in Guizhou, Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant, was completed and put into operation. Here, all sewage undergoes four stages of pre-treatment, biochemical treatment, advanced treatment, and sludge treatment to meet the Class IV standard for water quality, and then flows back into the Nanming River.

“The daily processing capacity is 50,000 tons, serving about 270,000 people, and providing 18.5 million tons of ecological water replenishment to Nanming River every year." Hao Wenlei, deputy director of Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant, told reporters. In order to fully utilize land resources, a landscape park has also been built above the water plant, which has become a leisure and relaxation place for surrounding residents.

The Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant is a microcosm of the comprehensive management of the Nanming River water environment. As of May 2024, Guiyang City has built and put into use 49 reclaimed water plants, including 19 undergroundreclaimed water plants, which provide about 1.5 million tons of ecological water replenishment to urban rivers such as Nanming River, Guancheng River, and Shixi River every day.

The outlet of Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant, and the treated regenerated water source continuously flows into Nanming River. Photo by People's Daily reporter Wang Xiufang

Not only that, Guiyang City also insists on implementing the retreat from the city to the parkaction for industrial enterprises, and block industrial pollution outside the main urban area. At the same time, in conjunction with the treatment of black and odorous water bodies in the city, a new sewage pipeline network of 65 kilometers will be built, 263 discharge outlets will be renovated, 19 drainage ditches in the central urban area will be comprehensively renovated, and 25 black and odorous water bodies in the Nanming River Basin will be completely eliminated.

Since 2018, the water quality in the central urban area of Nanming River has remained stable at Class IV or above, and some areas have reached Class III or above. The urban rivers have basically achieved long-term and clean operation. In 2023, Nanming River was rated as a beautiful and happy river and lake in Guizhou Province, and was selected as an excellent case of beautiful rivers and lakes by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Comprehensive water management, green water promotes the city. Guiyang City fully excavates its historical context and ecological resources, connecting the mountains, waters, and cultural landscapes along the Jiaxiu Tower, Cuiwei Pavilion, Guanyin Temple, etc., planning to create a Nanming River Basin Cultural Circle and Cultural Belt, achieving the integration of cultural characteristics and water city scenery.

Above the Qingshan Reclaimed Water Plant, the landscape park has become a place for nearby residents to relax and unwind. Photo by People's Daily reporter Wang Xiufang

On January 26, 2024, the Guancheng River, which had been sealed for nearly 60 years, was unveiled for the first time with a length of 182 meters, announcing the restoration of the river. Accompanying it is the Chaohui neighborhood on Taiping Road.

The Taiping Road area has been a gathering place for commerce and culture since ancient times. Guancheng River is a tributary of Nanming River, flowing through important sections such as fountain, cross, and south gate, as well as traditional commercial gathering areas, carrying many memories of native people in Guiyang.

In recent years, with the successive operation of Guiyi and two reclaimed water plants in Liuguangmen, the effectiveness of Nanming River treatment has become prominent and the water quality has improved, giving Guiyang the ecological confidence of uncovering the Guancheng River. Taking the opportunity of uncovering the Guancheng River, nearly 200 merchants have settled in the newly built Taiping Road Chaohui block, becoming another popular check-in spot in Guiyang city.

Next to the reclaimed water plant, sanitation workers are using the smart water dispenser to collect reclaimed water. Photo by Xiang Yi

Every summer, Guiyang always manages to attract countless fans with its cool climate. Listening to the murmuring water of Nanming River in front of Jiaxiu Tower is the best choice for tourists from both inside and outside the province.

Protecting the water in the city is more beautiful, and moistening the city is more prosperous. For many years, Guiyang has been committed to comprehensive management of the Nanming River water environment, allowing citizens and tourists toenjoy in the greenery. Nowadays, the lush green scenery of rivers and lakes is constantly polishing the happiness background of the masses, becoming the most universal welfare for people's livelihoods.