The Macao Water Co. Ltd. has pledged to grant a
six-million-patacas (US$750,000) relief to the customers in the
current salinity crisis, local media reported Monday.
Macao Post Daily quoted sources from the water-supply
enterprise as saying that the amount of the aid will be depending
on the meter size of the respective customers.
Macao, counting the water supply on Xijiang River which is
originated in Guangdong province, is currently enduring its worst
ever salinity crisis.
The salinity problem was caused by the intake of the sea water
during the dry winter season.
The salinity level has remained at 600 mg/l in the region for
half a month, far above the 200-mg/l standard set up by the World
Health Organization.
Macao Water, a Macao-Portuguese joint venture, is holding the
monopoly of the city's tap water supply.
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2006)
