New strides have been made in improving the water environment across Taihu Lake since the National Development and Reform Commission and five other government departments announced a master plan in June 2022.

Liu Weijing, president of the Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, said the ecological environment of the large freshwater lake has continuously improved and is currently at its best level since 2000.

Among the major indicators of water quality, only the average concentration of total phosphorus failed to meet the Grade III standard. Jiangsu aims to reduce the total phosphorus from currently 0.053 milligrams per liter to the required 0.05 milligrams per liter by around 2025.

The Taihu Lake basin has seen distinctive progress in industrial restructuring. However, home to industrial parks and clusters at the town and village levels, the area may require a long time to complete the eco-friendly industrial transformation.

During this period, the province has intensified systematic measures with more targeted and fundamental pollution control initiatives. These efforts included a transitioning from focusing on industrial pollution to domestic waste, expanding from urban to rural areas, and enhancing the management of domestic sewage. Jiangsu has also increasingly addressed pollution from the agricultural sector with multiple measures covering planting and breeding.

In addition to controlling pollution, Jiangsu has promoted the ecological restoration and renovation of lakes and watercourses for a better environment.

The Taihu Lake area has also seen significant improvement in emergency prevention and response, thanks to increasing awareness and better monitoring and preparedness. 

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