Chinese Village Dismantles Its Wells in Exchange for Running Water, Higher Authorities Forget to Finish the Job

Village officials claim to have no authority over the stalled project.
Chinese Village Dismantles Its Wells in Exchange for Running Water, Higher Authorities Forget to Finish the Job
Soldiers help villagers pump water from a pond at Pingdi village on July 31, 2013 in Loudi, China. (ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)
2/25/2016
Updated:
2/25/2016

Several years ago, the municipal government of Nanning, a city in southern China, promised residents of Huaqun Village that they would provide running tap water. Eager to enjoy modern amenities, the villagers did away from their old wells and 380,000 yuan (about $58,000) were invested into the project, which began with the installation of a new water pipe.

No progress has been made since 2011, the Southern China Morning Paper reported. Because funding has dried up, the construction team has never again been seen in Huaqun. 

The villagers are back to their time-honored tradition of drawing well water, with the except of forty families who don’t have these means and must buy water from local officials. One local official told the Morning Paper that he had nothing to do with the stalled project.

Villages standing around drawn water. (Southern China Morning Paper)
Villages standing around drawn water. (Southern China Morning Paper)

A villager surnamed Liang and other residents spoke with Mr. Huang, head of the local Communist Party committee, who claimed the half-finished water pipe was not within his range of responsibilities.

“Director Huang says it’s a governmental project, so he’s not in charge,” Liang said.

As is often the case in backwater Chinese communities, the story ended inconclusively. Villagers elected representatives to submit multiple appeals to the district government, but have received only silence in response.

A villager checks the overgrown water meter. (Southern China Morning Paper)
A villager checks the overgrown water meter. (Southern China Morning Paper)