CRI听力:Drinking Water Safe after Chloroform Spill: Jiangxi Officials

Officials in central China's Jiangxi Province say a chloroform spill from a tanker has not contaminated local drinking water.

Twenty-six tons of chloroform leaked from the tanker after a traffic accident, contaminating upper reaches of the local Xujiang River on Thursday.

But Li Chongjian, deputy environmental chief of Jiangxi Province, says officials have initiated emergency response and prevented the secondary pollution.

"We cut three transverse gaps, ranging from one-meter-wide, six-to-ten-meter long, along the polluted water. First, it aims to stop polluted water flowing into clean water. Second, it aims to prevent the rain from bringing polluted particles on the river surface. We want to block the pollution source, so there is no secondary pollution."

The official says they have tested the water quality in the lower reaches of the Xujiang River and found no trace of contamination in drinking water.

He also says that the water works concerned have increased the test frequency to ensure the water quality.

An investigation into the chloroform leakage is also underway.