Surveillance of Water Quality in the Songhuajiang River System in Heilongjiang Province - Pre-feasibility study - 1995. Travel report from Heilongjiang Province, China, Oct./Nov

Abstract

A request for co-operation on a system for water quality surveillance of Songhuajiang River System in Heilongjiang Province, China, was received by NIVA from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Heilongjiang Province. Funds were made available from NORAD, to initiate a co-operative work with the EPA. T. Skancke, NORGIT Centre, and B. M. Wathne, NIVA, travelled to Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, to make a pre-feasibility study and project plans for further co-operation. The Songhuajiang River System provides drinking water for a population of nearly 30 mill., indusrial and agricultural water, as well as aquatic products and shipping conditions. Despite great efforts from the local authorities during the last 10 years, the water quality in Songhuajiang River has improved little, and the water is still heavily polluted. During the visit, the project and the work plan were discussed in more detail and the partners agreed to establish a permanent co-operation within the field of environmental surveillance and information. An Agreement for Technical co-operation between NIVA and EPA was signed. A proposal describing the co-operative project will be finalised at NIVA, based upon concept discussed and agreed.