Suzhou Creek Rehabilitation

Suzhou Creek originates from Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province and connects with Huangpu River in Shanghai Municipality. The total length of Suzhou Creek is 125 km, of which 53.1km is within the boundary of Shanghai. It is recorded that the phenomena of ˇ°black and stinkˇ± occurred in the Suzhou Creek in 1920. Due to the discharge of untreated industrial wastewater, domestic sewage, overflow of pump stations and unfavorable hydraulic conditions, the Creek was polluted seriously in 1950-1960 and no fish had been ever seen since late 1970. Even the riverside was untidy and in disorder.

Shanghai government began to study strategies on the pollution control over Suzhou Creek in early 1980. In 1993, Shanghai started to operate the interception system with intercepting sewage of 1.2-1.4 million m3/d. In 1996 the Suzhou Creek comprehensive rehabilitation was put on the agenda and has been under way by stages since then.

The first stage from 1998 to 2002, with an investment of 843 million USD (7 billion RMB) (of which 164 million USB is ADB loans), carried out 10 projects. The second stage from 2003 to 2005, with an investment of 454 million USD (3.77 billion RMB), aimed at 8 projects. And the future stage will carry out projects to restore ecosystem, provide suitable conditions for fishes coming back, and create harmonious and pleasant environment at the riverside of Suzhou Creek.

The main rehabilitation measures include wastewater and sewage interception, sediment dredging, low-flow augmentation and riverside rehabilitation.

In 2000 the black and stink of Suzhou Creek was basically eliminated. Most indicators of water quality in 2002 met Class V of National Surface Water Standard, much better than before with 60% CODCr, BOD5 and NH3-N decreased and 90% DO increased. Now fish can been found in the Creek and water quality of main tributaries is improved.

Mengqing Garden, a newly built park created out of a previous industrial area, a beer brewery plant, and the site visit place, was completed in July 2004 as part of Suzhou Creek Rehabilitation Project. It is situated at the south bank of Suzhou Creek and covers an area of 86,000 m2. 84% of its area is green space including 9450 m2 of grassland and 54450 m2 of woodland. A holding tank is built underground and polluted storm water is extracted after heavy rainfall and put through a series of treatment afterwards. A pilot phyto-remediation project, including an artificial reed bed and a landscaped stream and lake system shows a natural bio-process of cleaning up water to the public. This innovative, visually attractive and community based project is now used for passive recreation including use as a backdrop for wedding photographs.