After sewage treatment in recent years, Xin'an Lake refreshes its image and benefits residents in Quzhou. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

These days, visitors stroll along Xin'an Lake, in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, looking far into the distance at a beautiful lake that extends far and wide to the horizon.

But the water quality in Xin'an has not always been that good. The river that feeds into the lake used to be full of silt and nasty odors, forcing people to keep their distance.

"After sewage treatment in recent years, the water quality in Xin'an is now above grade II," said Zhu Shihua, an official from Xin'an Lake Management Center.

In 2013, an unprecedented battle against black and odorous water was launched across Quzhou. Measures included pollution source tracking and control, river dredging and the introduction of water quality improvement facilities.

The management center implemented more than 40 special treatment projects, making progress in controlling pollution from sewage from industrial, domestic and rural sources. It closed down 127 enterprises that did not meet the requirements for environmental protection approval, renovated 889 small enterprises and workshops, and renovated 248 major industrial enterprises.

The water has changed, and so has the smell in the air and local residents' daily lives.

The lakeside now has more flowers and trees, and more people are choosing it as a destination for public square dancing, tai chi and taking walks along the lakeside.