Netizens Report Abnormal Water Bodies Near 670 Coal Gangue Mountain in Town Area, Chongqing Officials Release Statement

A small creek in Chongqing turned orange; fish and shrimp are extinct. Official: caused by seepage from abandoned coal mine wastewater pond; currently being addressed.

On March 11, a netizen reported abnormal water conditions near the 670 coal gangue mountain in our town. In response, the town government, together with relevant departments, immediately formed a working group to quickly conduct water quality monitoring, source investigation, and remediation. The details are as follows:

Upon investigation, the seepage source is at the dam of the 670 coal gangue mountain, with water flowing through the valley into Majia River. The working group set up five water quality monitoring points and collected samples. Results showed that two monitoring points outside the dam exceeded standards for iron and manganese ions; one point in the middle of Majia River and two points where Majia River joins Yangcha River were within normal limits. Local residents’ drinking water is supplied centrally by a water plant and has not affected daily life.

Additionally, our town has simultaneously organized remediation work. Emergency collection ponds were excavated inside the dam of the 670 coal gangue mountain and about 500 meters downstream to intercept seepage water from the source. Meanwhile, using a combination of machinery and manual work, the removal of silt from the bottom of Majia River was completed at 5 p.m. on March 13.

Next, we will work with the main responsible unit for the 670 coal gangue mountain to implement pollution prevention measures at the source, learn from the experience, establish and improve work mechanisms, and conduct a comprehensive inspection of ecological and environmental protection within the jurisdiction to ensure early detection and early treatment.

Thank you to the public for your concern, attention, and supervision of our town’s ecological and environmental protection efforts!

Qijiang District Shihou Town People’s Government

March 14, 2026