Taihu Lake Achieves Good Water Quality for the First Time in 30 Years

Taihu Lake, located in the lower Yangtze River region of China, has recorded a significant milestone in its water quality, achieving Grade III status in 2024, as announced by the Jiangsu provincial department of ecology and environment. This marks the first time in 30 years that the freshwater lake has reached such a standard, which is suitable for the survival of most aquatic life.

China employs a five-tier quality classification system for surface water, with Grade I representing the highest quality. Achieving Grade III indicates that the water is considered to be in a fairly good condition, reflecting the successful efforts of local authorities in mitigating the lake's historical pollution problems.

The improvement in water quality is the result of sustained efforts and substantial investment into the lake’s restoration, amounting to over 300 billion yuan (approximately $41 billion) since 2007. Key strategies have included managing pollution sources and intercepting contaminants. In 2024 alone, nearly 6.4 million cubic meters of sediment were removed from the lake, and over 1.7 million metric tons of harmful blue-green algae were eliminated, contributing to the enhanced ecological health of Taihu Lake.