Small, severe polluters targeted in new water quality plan

Beijing ordered small plants in 10 industries notorious for polluting — including fertilizer plants and paper mills — closed in an action plan that also lowers import tariffs on components for equipment used to cut water pollution, The Financial Times reported. The goal is to make more than 93% of the water supply to cities meet the standard of “water suitable for drinking” by 2020, and raise the proportion of water meeting that standard in seven river basins above 70%. About 63% of water in said rivers actually meets that standard, according to Financial Times calculations.