BEIJING -- China is aiming to form a network by the end of 2015 to monitor and detect the sources of pollution in groundwater in the North China Plain, a breadbasket that faces water shortage problems.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection revealed the news to Xinhua on Friday, citing a government work plan on groundwater contamination control, which it said has recently been approved by the State Council.

Vowing pollution control efforts in phases, the plan says the monitoring network will help by providing a general view on conditions of groundwater contamination in the region.

Moreover, the country is aiming to improve groundwater quality and pollution monitoring as well as launch model projects on groundwater pollution treatment and recovery by the end of 2020, according to the plan.

The ministry said the official document is significant in terms of guiding government-led efforts to control pollution of groundwater in the North China Plain, as well as setting an example for other parts of the nation.

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