China Construction Eco-Environmental Group co., LTD
The Pitch
The Jiangyin Urban Water Pollution Remediation Project transformed 28 heavily polluted rivers into clean waterways, thriving ecosystems and vibrant public spaces. By combining ecological restoration, upgraded water infrastructure and long-term performance-based management, the initiative turned a persistent public health and environmental challenge into a lasting community asset.
The Problem
Long-term mixing of rainwater and sewage severely polluted 28 rivers and affected more than 75 square kilometers of urban area in Jiangyin. This degraded aquatic ecosystems, reduced biodiversity and spread harmful microorganisms through black-odor water, creating persistent health risks for 304,000 residents, 27% of whom are older adults or children.
The Process
- Restored 28 rivers by separating rainwater and sewage, restoring riverbanks and using nature-based solutions such as ecological floating islands and aquatic vegetation to improve water quality and rebuild aquatic ecosystems
- Structured the project as a public-private partnership that integrated design, construction and long-term operations under a single entity, reducing the fiscal burden on local government and creating clear accountability for long-term environmental outcomes
- Converted neglected riverfronts into parks, walking trails and public spaces for residents
- Partnered with residents through the Smart Watershed mini program to gather resident feedback and enable community monitoring of river corridors Introduced a performance-based payment mechanism that ties operational payments to water quality compliance and resident satisfaction, ensuring accountability beyond construction completion
- Used a smart water management platform to support real-time monitoring and lay the foundation for a citywide intelligent water supervision system across Jiangyin
The Impact
- Improved water quality across all 28 rivers to meet Class III standards (suitable for drinking)
- Eliminated black odors from all 28 rivers, increasing resident satisfaction to 95%
- Improved the living environment and reduced mosquito density by 60% by eliminating foul-smelling water
- Developed 3.4 kilometers of waterfront trails, four living water parks and more than 120,000 square meters of ecological green space Installed six water culture display walls and 52 ecological education signs to reinforce Jiangyin’s educational and cultural identity
- Added new public amenities, including 30 benches, four shading structures, four children’s play zones and 17 fitness equipment sets
- Hosted more than 30 annual events along key river sections, including Dongfeng and Laoyingtian, attracting more than 10,000 cumulative visitors through neighborhood festivals and eco-markets
- Created 92 stable jobs in sanitation and landscape maintenance, prioritizing low-income urban groups Introduced light commercial zones, including eco-themed cafes and riverside book bars, providing additional entrepreneurship opportunities for more than 1,000 residents
- Contributed to a 10% to 15% increase in surrounding residential property values through environmental enhancements Increased bicycle traffic by 20% following the integration of bike lanes and pedestrian pathways
- Attracted 547,000 annual visits to the revitalized riverfront for walking, relaxation and exercise
