China coastal water quality suffers from sewage, river pollution

More than half of China's outlets for releasing sewage into the ocean are excessively polluted, according to figures from the State Oceanic Administration (SOA). The agency announced that in the first half of this year, of 248 outlets pumping sewage into the sea, 152 exceeded pollution standards.

Unsurprisingly, the main pollutant found in the water were faeces, ammonia and "Chemical Oxygen Demand" - a measure of the amount of organic compounds in water.

In a survey of the water released into the sea by 17 major Chinese rivers, 13 gained a rating lower than 'V' standard, indicating that the water released is not safe for any kind of use. The main kinds of pollution found in these rivers were ammonia, phosphorus, and Chemical Oxygen Demand.

Water released into the sea by the Yangtze River was rated at IV standard. Water of IV standard is safe for general industrial use but not safe for skin contact. The main pollution in the Yangtze is due to petroleum and Chemical Oxygen Demand. Water released by the Pearl River was rated at II standard.

The SOA said, however, that the quality of water at bathing sites was found to be, on average, good or excellent.