Chapter 110: Pollution of the White River (2)
In addition to the problems at the mine, Mr. Wang also brought Jiang Ningyue and Tian Jun to the north side of the village.
Xiaohewan Village, as its name suggests, is located near a river bend, a tributary of the Baihe River.
The river was now filled with garbage, and it was extremely dirty and smelly, with the water emitting a dark green hue. It wasn't summer, but a pungent odor still hit me.
Jiang Ningyue couldn't help but cover her nose. Mr. Wang sighed:
"When I was little, I remember this river was crystal clear. I would fish with my friends in the river, and the adults at home would wash clothes here. But now, look at it, it's become like this."
"Why is this happening?" Jiang Ningyue asked curiously.
"It's the factory's sewage," Mr. Wang explained. "It's only been here two years, and the water's already black. The blacker it gets, the dirtier and worse it gets. They dump all kinds of garbage here. I sincerely hope the government can fix it."
Mr. Wang also said something that couldn't be broadcast, which simply means collusion between officials and businessmen. He specifically criticized Ouyang Jian, the current member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Executive Vice Governor.
After all, it was he who led the transformation and reform of the industrial zone in Haizhou Province.
Afterwards, Mr. Wang led Jiang Ningyue to find Mr. Zhang, a member of the village committee of Xiaohewan Village.
Jiang Ningyue asked, "Is the current state of our river caused by the nearby mines and factories?"
"right."
Mr. Zhang nodded and said, "At the time, the county leaders designated this land for them to build a factory. The factory was built, but there was no place to discharge the sewage. After all, our village didn't have a dedicated sewage river or pipeline before, and those factories were in a hurry to start work, so they discharged their sewage directly into the river.
This has been going on for four or five years. The water quality here is getting worse and worse. It's not just the river water; I'm worried it's affecting the groundwater, too. We still have wells, but many villagers have reported that the water in them is no longer clean.
Environmental issues are a commonplace topic.
However, no one has taken it seriously. The reason is very simple. If we focus on environmental protection, we have to relocate heavy factories. Many cities and counties rely on these large factories to increase tax revenue. Which should we choose: money, political achievements, or environmental protection?
This doesn't seem to be a multiple-choice question.
After leaving Xiaohewan Village, Jiang Ningyue and others followed the river upstream and found several sewage pipes along the way. These pipes were still discharging sewage into the river.
A passerby saw Jiang Ningyue and couldn't help but say something, "Reporter Jiang, you're finally here! Our county used to be beautiful and green, with lush mountains and clear waters. We could find any place in the suburbs for picnics and fishing. But now with all the pollution from these factories, let alone fishing, there aren't even any dead fish in the river anymore."
Jiang Ningyue nodded and said with emotion: "Do you think life has improved in recent years?"
The citizen pondered for a few minutes, then nodded slowly, saying, "Income has increased, after all, there are more job opportunities now. I used to make only 30,000 to 50,000 yuan a year, but now I can make 70,000 to 80,000 yuan. However, I don't think this is a reason for these factories to pollute the river and the environment. This is clearly a problem with the sewage pipes. If the government fixes the sewage pipes in the industrial park, won't they stop discharging into the river?"
"You have a point."
Jiang Ningyue smiled and nodded.
Afterwards, Jiang Ningyue and Tian Jun arrived at the Baihe Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau. A security guard stopped Jiang Ningyue and asked about her work unit and the reason for her visit. Upon hearing that she was a reporter from the provincial TV station, the security guard immediately reported her to the police station.
"Oh, yes, a reporter for the provincial TV station's 'People's Livelihood 30 Minutes.' What's her name?"
Jiang Ningyue said calmly, "Jiang Ningyue."
"Ah, her name is Jiang Ningyue."
As soon as he finished speaking, the other party hung up the phone. Within two minutes, a group of people ran out panting.
The fate of the Xisui City deputy director was still vivid in their minds. When the leaders of the Baihe City Environmental Bureau heard that Jiang Ningyue had arrived, they turned pale with fright, and a group of people immediately ran out to greet her.
"Hello, reporter Jiang, let's go to the conference room, let's go to the conference room."
Surrounded by a group of people, Jiang Ningyue and Tian Jun came into the meeting room. Jiang Ningyue calmly looked at Zhao Ju, the deputy director in charge of the Environmental Bureau.
"Director Zhao, I'm here to inquire about environmental protection issues in Baihe County. It was originally just a minor issue in Hewan Village, but upon arriving at the scene, I discovered this is a widespread problem across many districts and counties in Baihe City."
"yes."
Director Zhao said with shame, "The environmental protection problem in some districts and counties of Baihe City is indeed a very serious problem. Since 2013, Baihe City has planned a number of industrial zones with complete supporting facilities, and we are still working hard to promote them."
Jiang Ningyue: "The river next to Xiaohewan Village has become a foul-smelling body of water. Not only does it smell pungent, but the water is also dark and turbid. We also saw along the way that many factories are directly discharging wastewater into the river. Is our Environmental Protection Bureau aware of this problem?"
"Informed."
Director Zhao nodded and said, "We have fined the companies involved 100,000 yuan and required them to make corrections."
"But there's no rectification." Jiang Ningyue asked doubtfully, "I just went there, and the sewage is still being discharged directly."
"Because they have already been fined this month, we will go to the company again on the first working day of next month, fine them again, and ask them to make corrections."
Jiang Ningyue couldn't help but laugh after hearing what Director Zhao said. "You sound a bit like protection money, don't you? Can we understand this as if the company pays 100,000 yuan a month, they can continue to discharge sewage?"
"That's not how it can be understood."
Director Zhao was a little embarrassed. "For some large companies, I would also fine them 200,000, 300,000, or even the maximum penalty of 1 million yuan."
"Isn't that the same idea?"
Jiang Ningyue sighed, "Can we first stop these businesses and suspend production? Then, when there's a dedicated sewage treatment plant, we can allow them to resume operations?"
"this……"
Director Zhao smiled awkwardly, glanced at the silent Tian Jun, and said with a wry smile, "Reporter Jiang, you're a big reporter, and I won't play tricks on you, but you have to promise me not to release this."
Jiang Ningyue was quite impressed with Director Zhao's attitude. After all, she hadn't used any skills, yet he had spoken truthfully. So, Jiang Ningyue nodded and said, "I can promise you. Go ahead."
"These companies are all major enterprises in the city and even the province. Not only do they pay high taxes, but they also have strong relationships with city and provincial leaders. Although our Environmental Protection Bureau is responsible for the environment, we can only manage them within the rules. To be honest, if I shut down those companies in the morning, I'll have to take my job in the afternoon and replace them with a leader who can withstand the pressure."
Director Zhao's words made Jiang Ningyue silent for a long time. It seemed that this was indeed the case. Director Zhao had the will but not the ability.
Of course, as the person in charge, he must have received a lot of benefits in this matter. However, this does not prevent him from taking the lead in this matter.
Jiang Ningyue was silent for a moment before asking, "Didn't the first round of central ecological and environmental inspections uncover this problem in Baihe City?"
Director Zhao smiled awkwardly and said, "The problem wasn't serious at the time. The river you mentioned was only a Class III water body then, but now it's a Class V."
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