National

Regional

Taiwan, HK, Macao

Special Coverage

Focus

Society

Profiles

Victims of water pollution get 50 yuan compensation

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-08-05 15:59

Nearly 4,000 Chifeng citizens among the 4,322 who were sickened by drinking contaminated tap water have been cured, and the local water supply company promises to pay back certain water bills, the Beijing News reported Tuesday.

Related readings:  Tainted tap water sickens 4,307 in N. China city  N. China city delayed reporting pollution  Victims in N China water pollution rise to 2,622  Tainted tap water sickens 1,000 residents

As of August 2, local citizens in the affected area were informed the water supply company will compensate them by returning 50 yuan ($7.30) to their water cards.

The government has been using a temporary pipeline and fire trucks transporting clean water to supply the citizens. And a new pipeline that will offer a water supply in the affected area is under construction. The government promises to put it into use in September, said Gao Xihua, secretary-general of the Chifeng government.

Many citizens have not had a shower in days, and others have been forced to go to work without even washing their faces, as clean water was still in short supply, earlier reports said.