The municipal government of the Chinese megacity Xi’an has initiated a massive restoration of its polluted water bodies to secure the supply of clean water for its 12 million inhabitants. Rapid population growth, heavy industrial activity, and advancing climate change have led to water shortages, aquatic environment deterioration, and made the city more vulnerable to flooding. The project will help recover the aquatic ecology and improve the recreational value and flood resilience of Xian’s waters. State-of-the-art amphibious multipurpose Watermaster technology from Finland is utilized in the restoration work.
The ongoing 'Eight-Rivers Regeneration' project includes the construction of water supply lines, restoration of 7 wetlands, rehabilitation of 10 river channels, and reconstruction of 28 lakes. The municipal government of Xi’an chose the Peach Blossom Pool Park as an emergency pilot project.
This environmental restoration project was aimed to speed up the flow rate of the Chanhe river and to revitalize the aquatic environment of the East Lake. The work included raking and excavating the trash, excess vegetation and silt out from the river. The accumulated sludge was then suction dredged into geotextile tubes for dewatering. The water depth at the site was generally less than 50 cm. The amphibious multipurpose Watermaster machine carried out all the stages of the project. Using one machine with many functions saved the environment, costs, and time, and thus contributed positively towards the sustainable development of the city and securing a healthier, more flood resilient, and water-secure living environment for the people of Xi’an.