A US$ 240 million loan package was agreed in Beijing on 20 November 2013 to upgrade wastewater treatment plants in China to meet the grade 1A standard, which means the water can be reused for industry cooling and watering city gardens.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a direct loan of US$ 120 million equivalent in dollars and yuan for Beijing Enterprises Water Group Limited and a complementary loan of US$ 120 million equivalent in dollars and yuan to be funded by commercial banks.
In addition, technical assistance of US$ 500,000 jointly from the Climate Change Fund, established by ADB, and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund under the Water Financing Partnership Facility, funded by the governments of Australia, Austria, Norway, Spain and Switzerland, will help to promote the reuse of wastewater in cities across China.
Reuse of wastewater can be made more cost-competitive if appropriate energy efficiency measures are introduced. The technical assistance to support energy audits, energy management systems, knowledge sharing of energy-saving solutions, and policy recommendations will enhance the affordability of water reuse, freeing up fresh water in cities across the country.