Did you know Shanghai secures its drinking water from an artificial lake? This is the Chenhang Reservoir. We stand at the edge of a vital resource. It quenches the thirst of millions. Let’s dive into the story of this essential reservoir.
The Chenhang Reservoir was built in 1992. It became the first reservoir on the Yangtze River for Shanghai. This was a crucial step. The city needed a reliable water source. Before the reservoir, Shanghai depended solely on the Huangpu River.
The Yangtze River is a key freshwater source for Shanghai. The Chenhang Reservoir connects to the South Branch of the Yangtze River. It is the second-largest freshwater supply for Shanghai. The reservoir plays a crucial role. It provides drinking water to Shanghai’s northern areas.
The water from the Chenhang Reservoir travels through an 18-kilometer pipeline. It goes to the Yongsheng, Jiading, Anting, and Jiabei water plants in Jiading. Over a million residents in suburban Jiading District receive cleaner tap water. This water is purer. The stable water quality comes from the Yangtze.
In the past, Jiading’s water came mainly from the Huating Water Factory. The Shugou River served as its source. The water quality varied and was often inadequate. Now, about 400,000 cubic meters of cleaner water is supplied daily. The plan aims to increase this quantity to 770,000 cubic meters.
Shanghai has been altering its water supply structure. The Qingcaosha Reservoir went into operation in 2011. By the end of that year, 70 percent of the city’s drinking water came from the Yangtze-linked Qingcaosha, Dongfeng Xisha, and Chenhang reservoirs. The Jinze reservoir on the upstream Huangpu River supplies the rest.
Coastal reservoirs, such as Chenhang, have many advantages. They can catch all runoff from a catchment. These reservoirs provide water for irrigation, industrial, and domestic use. The Baogang Reservoir also located in Yangtze River Estuary provides industrial water to keep Baoshan Steel going.
Sometimes accidents happen. In the past, an oil leak threatened the water supply. Two cargo ships collided on the Yangtze River. The dams of the Qingcaosha and Chenhang reservoirs closed. These dams were over 35 kilometers away. This ensured the city’s tap water quality. The Qingcaosha Reservoir can supply the city for 68 days. The Chenhang Reservoir can supply for 10 days.
Coastal reservoirs are a solution for water storage. They imitate natural freshwater lakes. They have a sustainable flow of fresh water from the river. These reservoirs are used in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. They are successful alternatives to traditional dams.
So, as you drink tap water in Shanghai remember the Chenhang Reservoir. This reservoir shows how innovative engineering provides a basic necessity. It quenches the thirst of a modern metropolis. It is part of a larger network ensuring water for Shanghai’s millions.