Ordos city has achieved the full reuse of treated urban wastewater, marking a major step toward a sustainable water cycle based around "treatment, reuse and efficiency gains", and strengthening the city's water ecology and green, low-carbon development.

According to Ordos Urban Water Affairs Co, the city currently treats 22,500 metric tons of wastewater per day. By 2025, annual treatment capacity is expected to reach 7.2 million tons, with all reclaimed water reused to maximize the efficiency of water resources.

At the city's wastewater treatment plant, sewage from households, businesses and public offices undergoes a comprehensive purification process. Solid waste such as plastics and sand is first removed through screening and grit chambers, followed by biological treatment where microorganisms break down organic pollutants. Advanced treatment then removes nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended solids through chemical dosing and sedimentation.

The reclaimed water is widely used for urban landscaping, road cleaning and cooling at thermal power plants, providing a stable alternative water source for city operations. Meanwhile, sludge generated during treatment is rendered harmless and converted into organic fertilizer.

Once considered waste, wastewater has now become "living water" for Ordos, turning pollution into resources and putting circular development into practice.