The seawater desalination plant on Baisha Island. [Photo provided by Zhoushan Water Supply Co Ltd]

Baisha Island in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, is finally addressing decades of water scarcity as a new cross-sea water pipeline will begin operation on Sept 1. 

The project connects Zhujiajian, Chaishan, and Baisha islands, marking a significant breakthrough in securing stable and safe drinking water for residents.

Baisha Island, a scenic fishing village known as a "paradise for sea fishing", has long struggled with limited freshwater resources. Its 200 permanent residents have relied on transported water and small local supplies, often unstable in both quality and quantity. 

In 2021, Zhoushan Water Supply Co Ltd signed a supply agreement with the Baisha Island management committee, launching a comprehensive upgrade project. The project involved upgrading 9 kilometers of island pipelines, replacing 752 meters of pipelines and 473 household connections, and constructing an emergency Chaishan–Baisha line. 

The most critical phase required laying 4.98 kilometers of undersea pipes in challenging sea and geological conditions. Despite the difficulties, the construction team completed the work on schedule. The system can supply up to 100 cubic meters of water per hour, serving 816 households across Baisha and Chaishan.

Together with seawater desalination facilities and ultrafiltration treatment stations, the island now benefits from a three-tiered water security system. This milestone ensures reliable drinking water and marks the beginning of a new era of water security.