Unique tech helps resolve water shortage in Beijing

Looking at the Chanping TBD water recycling plant from a distance, one would hardly believe that it's a place where sewage is treated. Aside from a few small buildings, the vast majority of the grounds outside the facility are covered by grass, and there is no foul smell or noise.

The plant is run by Beijing OriginWater Technology Co Ltd, the country's leading water treatment company. Covering just 9 hectares, it has been operating since June of last year and can treat 100,000 metric tons of sewage a day.

It uses an Intelligent Compact Wastewater Treatment System developed by the company that reduces land use by 40 to 50 percent compared with traditional plants, said Chen Chunsheng, the company's vice-president.

Aside from saving land resources, Chen said, the plant helps address water shortages in the capital.

Water resources per capita per year in Beijing is only about 100 cubic meters, which is less than Israel, a country located in the most water-scarce region in the world.

Thanks to the membrane water treatment technology, Chen said the quality of treated water from the plant is good enough to be used for irrigation and to replenish water in natural water courses.

The technology can also be used to desalinate sea water, according to the company.

Arab countries are some of the most water-scarce in the world. It's no wonder that a group of 24 foreign reporters, half of whom are from such nations, showed strong interest in the technology while visiting the treatment facility on Saturday.

The visit was organized by the China International Press Communication Center, an organization initiated by the China Public Diplomacy Association.

Seated in one of OriginWater's conference rooms with its executives after visiting the plant and the company's exhibition hall, many of the reporters were curious about whether the company's advanced water treatment technologies could also benefit their compatriots.

"Has OriginWater invested in Egypt?" asked Hoda Mohamed Mohamed, a reporter from Egypt. Saad Mohamed from the Brown Land, an English newspaper in Sudan, asked if the company is willing to invest in his country.

Sami Abdulameer Abbood, a reporter from Iraq, said OriginWater has very advanced water treatment technology and that he looks forward to seeing China and Iraq cooperate on sea water desalination and water purification.

Huang Jianglong, OriginWater's president, said the company established an overseas business department last year as it endeavors to explore overseas markets.

It has experienced rapid growth abroad since then, Huang said, with businesses in Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Belgium.

He said he looks forward to offering support to more countries with its membrane water treatment technology.