Haimen district in Nantong has been working for years to improve its water environment and is seeing strong results. 

Since the beginning of this year, the local government has been introducing strict measures to accelerate the upgrading of its environmental protection work, aiming to create a better living environment for locals.

To date, the district has carried out water diversion work along the Yangtze River 253 times, bringing in 2.9 million cubic meters of water while draining off 647 million cubic meters.

Obstacles in waterways, such as fishing nets and bamboo weirs, have been removed to ensure that water can flow smoothly.

Another 16 million yuan ($2.32 million) will be spent over the rest of the year to dredge the riverbeds and improve the water's ability to self-cleanse.

In 2017, the district established a river chief system to carry out regular river patrols, and implemented water resource protection and pollution prevention and control measures.

Sewage treatment at industrial companies, residential areas and farms has been strictly monitored, while sewage treatment facilities in 60 villages and 210 scattered rural households is being improved.

Officials said that the local authorities have penalized 177 large-scale farms and will crack down on another 130 violators.