According to the Chinese state press, Premier Wen Jiabao announced that a clean water supply has become a national priority. This statement comes after outbreaks of blue-green algae in Taihu, Chaohu and Dianchi, three of China’s largest lakes. In June, China adopted a new standard for tap water quality, replacing a standard issued in 1985 that state sources acknowledged to be outdated and insufficient. The new standard nearly triples the number of tap water quality indicators to 106, and includes limits for microorganism density, organic matter content and disinfectants. A national network will soon be established to inspect water quality. Earlier reports indicate that almost one out of every four Chinese citizens drinks unclean water. Source: Agence France-Presse