Groundwater polluted in 90% of Chinese cities

In coastal areas, overuse of reservoirs is allowing saline seawater to seep into and contaminate freshwater, while underground pressure changes caused by depleted reserves are also causing massive subsidence across China.

China has limited water resources, less than one-third of the global per capita average and falling. Groundwater is crucial because it provides up to 70% of drinking water.

"Groundwater is now contaminated in about 90% of the nation’s cities," said Zhang Lijun, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration.

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