Water Quality of Taihu Lake Reaches Best Level in 30 Years

Taihu, recognized as the third-largest freshwater lake in China, has recently been marked by local authorities as having achieved its highest water quality in three decades. Situated within the highly industrialized Yangtze River Delta, the lake was once notorious for severe algal outbreaks resulting from pollution. As of 2024, the average water quality has been classified as Grade III, indicating it is now deemed "fairly good," according to the Department of Ecology and Environment of Jiangsu Province, the region largely encompassing the lake.

Observations from the summer of the previous year revealed a significant decline in both the extent and density of blue-green algae blooms in Taihu, with reductions of 15.8 percent and 17.5 percent, respectively, from the previous year, as reported by the department. Zhu Guangwei, a researcher from the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology within the Chinese Academy of Sciences, commented on the impressive achievement in controlling eutrophication in such a large body of water. He emphasized the global challenge of managing nutrient loading in large, shallow lakes, particularly in economically active regions, and noted that Taihu's progress could serve as a critical example for other areas facing similar issues.

Historically, Taihu has struggled with pollution, particularly since the 1990s due to the rapid pace of industrial and urban growth. Since 2007, there has been a concerted effort in Jiangsu Province to compel phosphorus-emitting industries around the lake to minimize their waste discharges, alongside initiatives to improve wastewater collection and treatment. Additionally, surrounding areas have shifted towards more advanced and environmentally friendly industries, contributing to the overall improvement in water quality.