Water, water everywhere ... at last

Updated: 2015-08-06 07:39

By Xu Wei(China Daily USA)

  Print Mail Large Medium  Small 分享按钮 0

Although the government has implemented many measures to improve living conditions on the islands in the South China Sea, the conditions are still inhospitable - scorching sunshine, burning temperatures and humid, salt-laden air. For the residents, the biggest improvement has been the introduction of fresh water via a series of desalination plants that treat seawater.

"Even though some people choose not to drink the desalinated water, at least they can use it to bathe, do the laundry and for irrigation," said Wang Junning, an engineer with Beijing Enterprise Water Group, which operates Sansha's desalination projects.

Wang, a native of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region who has been building and operating desalination stations on the islands for three years, said his work gives him a genuine sense of achievement because the lack of fresh water was the biggest challenge facing the residents.

"In the old days, the fishermen would calculate the amount of water they could use for bathing based on the incoming weather they saw on their fishing expeditions. If they knew rain was on the way, they would use a barrelful, but if a dry stretch was expected they only used a ladleful," he said. "At least they can bathe whenever they want now."

Wang and 10 colleagues oversee the maintenance of desalination plants on four islands - Yagong, Zhaoshu, Beidao and Xishazhou. He said seasickness is an occupational hazard because he and his colleagues regularly hop between islands to inspect the equipment: "The waves are always high and our boat is always small. The journeys are never pleasant."

After frequent visits to the islands, Wang is on familiar terms with all the residents, and often accepts offers to eat and sleep in their homes. Occasionally, he joins the fishermen on their trips to see how they catch the fish and to watch them dive for oysters and large sea snails.

"I know a little of their dialect, so communication isn't a problem. They are nice people and they recognize the value of my work," he said.

Even though solar power generators keep the residents supplied with electricity, life on the small islands - with the exception of Yongxing Island, where Sansha is located - is still far from comfortable.

"Food has to be refrigerated for 15 or 20 days until the next supply ship arrives. Some households don't even have toilets, and most people live in wooden shacks that offer very little protection from either the heat or the typhoons. I'm proud that my work helps to improve their lives," he said.

 Water, water everywhere ... at last

Wang Junning checks equipment at a desalination plant. Xu Wei / China Daily

(China Daily USA 08/06/2015 page6)

8.03K