The Huai River, 1,078km long, originates in the Tongbai Mountain in the Henan province, flowing through northern Anhui and finally entering the Yangtze River at Jiangdu, Yangzhou. The river basin has historically been one of China’s major agricultural production bases, responsible for the production of nearly one quarter of China’s marketed grain, cotton and oil seeds while occupying only one eight of China’s farmland.

During the period of economic growth, when local governments prioritised industrial reforms, the percentage of polluted water increased from 45 per cent to 88 per cent in a span of 16 years. According to a report issued by the State of the Environment in 2006, it was recommended that humans avoided direct contact with the Huai River along 75 per cent of the River sections.

A short clip on the pollution of Huai River can be found here.

More information regarding the Huai River pollution, it’s effects and governmental efforts can be found here.