Shanghai's Putuo district has launched a pilot program to irrigate green public spaces by using water from a nearby river, significantly reducing costs and boosting efficiency compared with current watering that uses tap water.

The pilot project is located at the green space at the intersection of Tongpu Road and Boshi Road in Changzheng town.

It will use 18,000 cubic meters of river water each year to irrigate a 15 hectare green area within a 1-kilometer radius.

The river water is drawn by using an intelligent control system, with the required amount inputted and accessed via an integrated circuit card.

The water is then pumped into an underground tank, where it undergoes filtration before being lifted to the irrigation system.

A nominal charge of 0.1 yuan (1.38 US cents) per cu m applies, as per China's water laws, which prohibit unauthorized free extraction of river water.

The innovative project is said to offer several big advantages over using tap water.

First, the cost is significantly lower, with river water costing only a fraction of the price of tap water. Second, the river water — rich in micro-elements and minerals — enhances plant growth and enhances ecological quality.

Lastly, the project reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption by eliminating the need to transport water previously filled in the tank.

Following the success of the pilot, similar initiatives are planned across the city, including a similar project at the Shanghai Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry Songjiang campus.

The move is in line with Shanghai's broader efforts to manage water resources more sustainably.

According to local water authorities, the city's total water consumption in 2023 was nearly 7.33 billion cu m, a reduction of 369 million cu m compared with the previous year.

Source: Jiefang Daily