More than 80% of rural wells in China's north-east contain water unsafe for drinking, water ministry officials say.
But they insisted that the water being supplied to urban areas across the country was still safe.
The figures come amid rising concerns for the environment affecting water and air quality, with the government seeking to cut down on pollution.
Much of that focus is targeted on the industrial north, which is one of the country's most heavily polluted areas.
The water ministry last week released a report (link is external) (in Chinese) showing most of the samples drawn from over 2,000 shallow underground wells in the north and east in 2015 were of poor quality:
- More than 30% were of Grade IV quality, which is suitable only for industrial and agricultural use
- Nearly 50% were Grade V, which is water unfit for human consumption of any type
The report, covered widely by local media, drew concern about drinking water in general.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36022538 (link is external)