BEIJING, April 24 (UPI) -- The majority of areas monitored by the Chinese government for water pollution last year received “very poor” or “relatively poor” grades, a report by the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources said.
Monitoring 4,778 locations in 203 cities, the ministry said that underground water quality was “relatively poor” in 43.9 percent of locations, meaning the water required treatment before human consumption. 15.7 percent of locations rated “very poor,” meaning the water should not be consumed. The total of 59.6 percent of locations with inadequate water quality compares to 2012’s total of 57.4 percent.