Taihu Lake in Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: news-wuxixinwen]
Wuxi, a city that lies on the northern shore of Taihu Lake, has reported steady improvements in the lake's water quality during the first half of 2026, according to mid-year data released by local authorities.
From January to June, the water quality in Wuxi's jurisdictional zone of Taihu Lake — monitored across 10 sampling sections — remained at Class III, suitable for drinking water sources after treatment, and for fisheries.
Among the city's 29 nationally monitored sections, 75.9 percent met excellent standards, and 89.7 percent reached Class III or better. Of the 73 provincially monitored sections, 95.9 percent achieved Class III or above.
Wuxi has moved beyond a single-dimensional approach to water treatment, investing in a comprehensive range of projects targeting agricultural runoff, urban drainage, and lake sediment.
Over 80,000 mu (5,333.33 hectares) of farmland are now covered by drainage initiatives. The city has scheduled 219 major restoration projects this year, with about 6 billion yuan ($885.64 million) in planned investment. By the end of June, 51 had been completed and 120 were under construction.
A four-tier monitoring system combining ground patrols, boats, drones, and satellite surveillance has been deployed to conduct daily inspections across 87 algae-collection points and 20 high-risk zones.
Digital tools are playing a growing role. The Taihu Lanshao Smart Water Quality Laboratory operates round-the-clock, using robotic arms and automated vehicles to collect and analyze samples with minimal human intervention, providing real-time data for assessment and response.
Looking ahead, Wuxi is drafting a pollution prevention plan and eight supporting sectoral plans for the 2026–30 period, focusing on source control from industrial, domestic, agricultural, surface, and internal pollution, aiming for a fundamental turnaround in the lake's water quality.
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