Years of drought depleted the water level of the Guanting Reservoir, located near Beijing, to a record low in recent years. To ensure an adequate water supply during the Beijing Olympic Games this summer, the reservoir has stopped transporting water for daily use, and is saving as much as possible for the reserve supply, Yanzhao Metro Daily reports.

According to the administration office of the Guanting Reservoir, located on the border between Beijing's Yanqing County and Hebei Province's Huailai County, the reservoir has been facing grave water supply problems due to ten years of drought. At present, the water volume in the reservoir is barely 130 million cubic meters. The volume fell to its lowest level to date -- less than 100 million cubic meters -- last summer.

To protect the ecological environment of the Guanting Reservoir and reserve more water for the Olympics, the Cetian Reservoir in Shanxi Province and the Huliuhe Reservoir in Hebei Province diverted water to the Guanting Reservoir in October.

The Guanting Reservoir had been a source of Beijing's drinking water since August, 2007.

(CRIENGLISH.com March 17, 2008)