Work on the first phase of the Ligang water plant in Tongzhou district starts on Dec 16, marking beginning of construction of a major people-oriented project that Nantong locals have been looking forward to for a long time. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Work on the first phase of the Ligang water plant in Tongzhou district started on Dec 16, marking beginning of construction of a major people-oriented project that Nantong locals have been looking forward to for a long time.

A plot, next to the Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge and originally belonging to Jiangsu Jiaolong Heavy Industry Group, was selected as the site for the plant.

In recent years, Nantong has laid great emphasis on protection and ecological restoration of the Yangtze River and achieved initial results. Therefore, the quality of the drinking water source is now more secure.

With a designed water supply capacity of 1.2 million cubic meters per day, the Ligang water plant project will be constructed in three phases. Invested with 1.8 billion yuan ($275 million), the first phase is designed to supply 400,000 cu m of water per day to the original Gangzha district, the current Haimen district, northern Tongzhou district and Rudong county as well as Tongzhou Bay after completion.

Currently there are three major water plants – Langshan, Chonghai and Honggang – in Nantong's urban area, with a daily water supply capacity of 2 million cu m. The Ligang water plant is scheduled for completion and beginning of operations by the end of 2022. t will then greatly optimize the regional water supply layout and relieve pressure on the Chonghai plant to supply water to central Nantong.